PERFECTLY CONTAINED

The OXO GOOD GRIPS Container Garden Set has everything you need to make your container garden grow. Specifically designed for planters and window boxes, the set includes a Trowel, Transplanter, Cultivator, Scoop, Floral Snips and a Caddy, all with soft, comfortable, non-slip grips. The perfect gift for your favorite green thumb.

6-Piece Container Garden Set 1.800.545.4411 www.oxo.com contents Volume 86, Number 6 . November / December 2007

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM 6 MEMBERS’ FORUM 7 NEWS FROM AHS AHS supports Boston garden contest, members enjoy Armitage webinar on bulbs, AHS Gala a success, Yew Dell Gardens hosts AHS Garden School, AHS is conducting children’s garden survey, AHS hosts spring trip to Asheville, North Carolina.

12 AHS NEWS SPECIAL America In Bloom 2007 Award Winners. Plus: An AIB judge recounts her personal experience judging communities. pagepage 1414 40 ONE ON ONE WITH… Dave Whitinger, creator of Dave’s Garden website. BIRD-FRIENDLY WINTER GARDENS BY KRIS WETHERBEE 14 ® Create a habitat to help birds survive winter in your garden. 42 GREEN GARAGE Cool tools and practical products.

19 VIRTUAL GARDENING IN THE BLOGOSPHERE BY DOUG GREEN 44 GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK Get connected to an online worldwide gardening community. Christmas tree growers form environmental coalition, Rozanne hardy geranium named 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year, students 22 WINTER-BLOOMING SHRUBS BY PETER LOEWER use technology to give plants voices, awards Perk up your winter landscape with these colorful shrubs. for Cora™ Madagascar periwinkle, virus linked to honeybee disorder, more fuel for debate about echinacea’s cold-fighting 28 THE FRAGRANT INDOORS efficacy, botanic garden executive Judy Zuk BY TOVAH MARTIN dies, plantsman Dan Hinkley becomes Sweetly scented flowers and Monrovia advisor. aromatic foliage make delight- ful additions to the indoor 48 APPRECIATION garden. Lady Bird Johnson: Her vision reflected in America’s roadsides

34 HAWAII’S HIDDEN JEWEL 50 GIFTS FOR GARDENERS BY MARGARET A. HAAPOJA BOOK REVIEWS The island of Kauai is home to 54 Na ‘Aina Kai, a little-known 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die, Conifers for the Garden, and Sunset Western public garden dedicated to art, Garden Book. conservation, and horticulture. Special focus: Books for young readers.

pagepage 3434 56 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS 60 2007 MAGAZINE INDEX

ON THE COVER: In late winter or early spring, chains of pale yellow flowers dangle from Stachyurus 62 HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES

TOP: JEAN KUNS / COURTESY OF GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT; BOTTOM: MARGARET A. HAAPOJA praecox, a deciduous shrub native to Asia. Photograph by Saxon Holt AND PRONUNCIATIONS

November / December 2007 3 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308-1300 (800) 777-7931 fax (703) 768-8700 www.ahs.org Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens

American Horticultural Society President’s Council

PRESIDENT Deane H. Hundley CHAMPION'S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail, Jr. ■ Ms. Judy Daniel ■ Mr. Board of Directors Franklin Y. Hundley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Ms. Melissa Marshall ■ MTR Landscape Architects, LLC ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. ■ Mr. CHAIRMAN Susie Usrey Dayton, Oregon Arnold Steiner ■ Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey ■ Ms. Frances Velay ■ Mrs. FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Don E. Riddle, Jr. Davidsonville, Maryland Pauline E. Vollmer SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia SECRETARY Albin MacDonough Plant Baltimore, Maryland CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE Mrs. Katherine Belk TREASURER Arnold Steiner Birmingham, Alabama IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Arabella S. Dane Center Harbor, New Hampshire LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. Carter Bales ■ Mr. Richard C. and

Mrs. Katherine Stark Bull ■ Mrs. Susan M. Cargill ■ Mrs. Elisabeth C. Dudley

■ Mrs. Marion Greene ■ Mr. and Mrs. James T. Norman ■ Mr. and Mrs. J. Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia ■ Suzanne Bales Oyster Bay, New York ■ William E. Barrick, Ph.D. Landon Reeve IV ■ Ms. Katy Moss Warner ■ Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech Theodore, Alabama ■ Katherine Belk Charlotte, North Carolina ■ Kurt Bluemel Baldwin, Maryland ■ Katherine Stark Bull Washington, D.C. ■ John Alex Floyd, Jr. Trussville, Alabama ■ Carole Hofley Wilson, Wyoming HAUPT CIRCLE Nancy J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mr. and Mrs. C. William Black ■ Mr. Margaret Kulp Louisville, Kentucky ■ Caroline Lewis Coral Gables, Florida ■ Melissa R. Marshall Pittsburgh, and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Dane ■ Mr. and Mrs. James Pennsylvania ■ Carol C. Morrison Palatine, Illinois ■ Shirley Nicolai Fort Washington, Maryland F. Delano ■ Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Mrs. Richard W. Hamming ■ Mr. and J. Landon Reeve IV Woodbine, Maryland ■ Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, Virginia Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Ms. Joann Luecke ■ Michel Sallin Groveland, Florida ■ Jeanne Shields Greenville, Delaware ■ Steven Still Hilliard, Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Jr. ■ Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison ■ Mr. ■ Howard McK. Tucker Alexandria, Virginia ■ Robert D. Volk San Marino, California and Mrs. Ken Mountcastle ■ Jeanne Shields ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Daryl Williams Lake Buena Vista, Florida Smith, Jr. ■ Dr. and Mrs. George E. Staehle

PRESIDENT EMERITUS Katy Moss Warner COUNCIL MEMBER’S CIRCLE Ms. Marietta E. Bernot ■ Mr. and Mrs. Anthony

Bigos ■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert

2007 Advisory Council L. Bogle ■ Count and Countess Peder Bonde ■ Mr. and Mrs. Michael T.

Beverly Hanselman, Nashville, Tennessee – Chair Bradshaw ■ Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust ■ Mr. and Mrs. William L. Carr,

III ■ Anne S. Chatham ■ Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Demisay ■ Mr. and Mrs. Clarissa Bonde, Washington, D.C . G. Ray Miller, Brandon, Florida Robert Duemling ■ Mrs. Walter Fletcher ■ Dr. and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Walter Bull, Columbia, South Carolina Egon Molbak, Bellevue, Washington Ms. Marguerite Peet Foster ■ Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Dr. and Mrs. Anne Bucher, Silver Spring, Maryland Dean Norton, Mt. Vernon, Virginia William O. Hargrove ■ Mr. Brian Holley ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Hooff ■ Mr. Philip Elaine Burden, Middleburg, Virginia Nancy Keen Palmer, Nashville, Tennessee Huey ■ Mr. Deane H. Hundley ■ Ms. Mary A. Lambert ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Patty Bush, St. Louis, Missouri Bob Patterson, Washington, D.C. B. Lindsay ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mrs. Barbara McClendon ■ Ms. Lillian Skipp Calvert, Alexandria, Virginia Dr. Julia W. Rappaport, Santa Ana, California McKay ■ Mrs. Paul Mellon ■ Mrs. Rosalyn Milbrandt ■ Mr. and Mrs. Egon Philip Catron, Frederick, Maryland William Sadler, St. Louis, Missouri Molbak ■ Mrs. Kathryn A. Moss ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dr. H. Marc Cathey, Davidson, North Carolina Deen Day Sanders, Norcross, Georgia Albin MacDonough Plant ■ Dr. Julia Rappaport ■ Mr. and Mrs. James A. Russell Clark, Boston, Massachusetts Josephine Shanks, Houston, Texas Runde ■ Mrs. Deen Day Sanders ■ Mrs. Josephine Shanks ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bartie Cole, Owings Mills, Maryland Barbara Shea, Owings Mills, Maryland Emanuel Shemin ■ Mrs. P.M. Spreuer ■ Mrs. Juliet Sproul ■ Mr. Harold Jim Corfield, Geneva, Illinois Holly Shimizu, Glen Echo, Maryland Stahly ■ Mr. and Mrs. John B. Strasenburgh ■ Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Edward N. Dane, Center Harbor, New Hampshire Charles Henry Smith, Jr, Middleburg, Virginia Ms. Megan Evans ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. Vikesland ■ Mr. and Mrs. David and Kitty Ferguson, Westwood, Massachusetts Tom Szaky, Trenton, New Jersey Robert D. Volk ■ Mrs. Agnes Binder Weisiger ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Ben Griswold, Glyndon, Maryland Nancy Thomas, Houston, Texas White ■ Mr. and Mrs. John W. White, Sr. Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Ponte Vedra, Florida Bryan Thomlison, Haddonfield, New Jersey Mickey Lynch, Dunmore, Pennsylvania Jeff Trunzo, Port Orange, Florida HONORARY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Mrs. Enid A. Haupt ■ Mrs. John A. Lutz ■ Bob Malesardi, Easton, Maryland Pauline Vollmer, Baltimore, Maryland Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller Robert and Joanna Martin, Menlo Park, California Joyce and Harvey White, Nashville, Tennessee Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Mt. Vernon, Virginia Joannah Williams, Sebring, Florida Barbara McClendon, Alexandria, Virginia Sheryl Wood, Middleburg, Virginia

Education Sponsor OXO International

Corporate Partners Bradfield Organics ■ The Care of Trees ■ Chapel Valley Landscape Company EarthBox™ ■ Homestead Gardens ■ Monrovia ■ NaturaLawn of America Osmocote ■ TerraCycle, Inc. ■ Your OutDoors, Inc./Perfect Garden Tool System

Horticultural Partners America in Bloom ■ Bellingrath Gardens and Home ■ Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Cox Arboretum & Gardens Metropark ■ Epcot International Flower & Garden The 2007 password to access the Festival ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America ■ The Homestead in the Garden Symposium ■ Inniswood Garden Society ■ Leonard Haertter Travel Company members-only portion of the AHS Magic of Landscapes ■ Morris Arboretum ■ Oklahoma Botanical Garden & Arboretum website, www.ahs.org, is dogwood. Oklahoma Horticultural Society

4 the American Gardener The American NOTESC FROM RIVER FARM GARDENER

EDITOR David J. Ellis MANAGING EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR Mary Yee ASSISTANT EDITOR OOKING OUT OF my window on the second floor at our River Farm Viveka Neveln headquarters here in Alexandria, I am consistently amazed by the beauty EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Caroline Bentley L and resiliency of our planet. Despite the drought we have experienced— CONTRIBUTING EDITOR along with warmer than normal fall temperatures—the gardens and meadow still Rita Pelczar look terrific and many flowers continue to bloom even as the trees are starting to CONTRIBUTING WRITER shed their fall finery. Carole Ottesen As usual, our accomplishments over the past couple of months seem to dwarf the space I am allocated here to address them. Since many are covered elsewhere in this EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD issue, I am going to highlight only a few of the most notable. CHAIR Richard E. Bir One of the most exciting developments is that the Ameri- Brevard, North Carolina can Horticultural Society is launching a new National Travel Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia Program. This came about because for years many of you have Nina L. Bassuk requested that we incorporate more American regional desti- Ithaca, New York nations into our travel schedule. We are fortunate to have con- Steve Bender tracted with Diana Biras—a well-known travel consultant based Birmingham, Alabama in St. Louis, Missouri—to serve as our national travel coordi- John E. Bryan nator. The program will debut in April with a trip to gardens San Francisco, California around Asheville, North Carolina (see page 11 for more details). KASSIE BAKER John L. Creech Diana is currently developing the rest of the schedule for 2008, which will include Columbus, North Carolina destinations requested by many of our members. In addition, we are planning trips Panayoti Kelaidis suitable for families. For more information about this new program, please contact Denver, Colorado Sue Galvin at [email protected]. Let us know what regions and gardens you would like Richard W. Lighty Kennett Square, Pennsylvania to visit and we will do our very best to make it happen. Elvin McDonald The last weekend of September, we hosted our annual gala. This year’s theme West Des Moines, Iowa was “Music in the Garden,” and as a special treat for attendees, we had local land- scape designers install four incredible new gardens based on the theme. Event co- chairs Katy Moss Warner and Caroline Norman—along with Honorary Chair CONTACT US The American Gardener 7931 East Boulevard Drive Julie Moir Messervy—presented an evening that was perfect in every way. I great- Alexandria, VA 22308 ly appreciate the support from the Board of Directors, our local community, and (703) 768-5700 sponsors each year for the gala, which is a critical source of funding for our edu- cation programs and the ongoing renovation of our gardens and grounds. ADVERTISING & E-MAIL: [email protected] CORPORATE On top of all this news, you’ll find this issue filled with the usual variety of gar- PARTNERSHIPS dening articles and information, including features on fragrant houseplants, win-

EDITORIAL E-MAIL: [email protected] ter-blooming shrubs, a lush Hawaiian garden, attracting birds to the winter garden, and the latest developments in the virtual gardening world. Before you do your holiday shopping, be sure to check out the gift guide for gardeners and the rec- The American Gardener (ISSN 1087-9978) is published bimonth- ® ly (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, Septem- ommendations from our Green Garage guru. ber/October, November/December) by the American Horticultural So please read and enjoy. Remember—this is your magazine, so if there are gar- Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 768-5700. Membership in the Society includes a subscrip- dening issues that you would like to see covered, do not hesitate to contact our ed- tion to The American Gardener. Annual dues are $35; two years, $60. International dues are $50. $10 of annual dues goes toward itorial staff—you can reach them by e-mail at [email protected]. magazine subscription. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Vir- ginia, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send My very best wishes for the holiday season, Form 3579 to The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Botanical nomenclature is based on The American Horticultural Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, on A Synonymized Check- list of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada and Greenland and on the Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and are not necessar- ily those of the Society. Manuscripts, artwork, and photographs sent for possible publication will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot guarantee the safe return of unsolicited —Deane H. Hundley, President & CEO material. Back issues are available at $8 per copy. Copyright ©2007 by the American Horticultural Society. Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper.

November / December 2007 5 MEMBERSC’ FORUM

CALIFORNIA’S VARIABLE CLIMATE GHOSTLY PLANT MYSTERY of tree or bush. While other plants around In the article “Havens for Heirlooms” We are hoping you or your readers can it are green in color, the leaves of this one (September/October 2007), the author help us identify a plant that grows in a are white every year. The photograph was refers to the “Mediterranean climate of wooded area of our garden here in Alaba- taken in May. Over the summer, the leaves southern California.” I’m sure it’s a com- ma. It appears to be a sapling of some kind dropped off as a result of the hot, dry mon perception in other areas of the coun- weather we experienced. try that all of southern California has a Tina Cofield Mediterranean climate. However, my hus- Bear Creek, Alabama band and I live at 6,800 feet elevation in the mountains surrounded by the San Editor’s response: We have not been able Bernardino National Forest, some 100 to positively identify the plant. If you miles east of Los Angeles. We have approx- think you know what it is, please contact imately 60 frost-free days per year and cool us by e-mail at [email protected] or by mail summer nights. Last year, the tender veg- at the AHS headquarters.  etables froze in August. Gardening in our mountain community is both challenging and rewarding, but our climate bears little PLEASE WRITE US! Address letters to Editor, The resemblance to the Mediterranean. American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. Send e-mails to Celia De Frank [email protected] (note Letter to Editor in subject line). Big Bear City, California The mystery plant as it looked in May Letters we print may be edited for length and clarity.

The American Horticultural Society’s Garden Tours The American Horticultural Society will explore picturesque Asheville, North Carolina, in a tour highlighting Gardens of Asheville the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in spring and the many de- lightful gardens in their midst. April 22–27, 2008 We will visit North Carolina Arbore- tum and Biltmore Estate—the home of George Vanderbilt with grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The Victorian gardens at Richmond Hill Inn and some very special private gardens will also be on the agenda. Guests will stay at the historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa.

For additional information and to register, please call Diana Biras at (636) 305-0086 or e-mail [email protected].

Biltmore Estate

Photo courtesy of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

6 the American Gardener

News from AHS November / December 2007

PROGRAMS • EVENTS • ANNOUNCEMENTS

AHS Supports Boston Gardens

ON AUGUST 22, AHS President Deane Hundleyparticipat­ ed in the award ceremony for Mayor Thomas Menino's Boston Garden Contest. According to Menino, the contest recognizes "Boston gardeners who dig in to help beautify our city." "Mayor Menino is a gardening fanatic!" says Hundley. "We're pleased to play a role in helping him encourage Boston area residents to take pride in their gardens." This is the fourth year AHS has offered memberships as prizes to the competi­ tors; in previous years, AHS Board member Arabella Dane has represented the Society at the award ceremony. More than 100 residents and business owners from East Boston to West Roxbury competed in 10 categories ranging from window boxes to community gardens. First place win­ ners received the coveted "Golden Tr owel" award from Mayor Menino, gift bags from HGTV, and one-year AHS memberships. Second and third place winners also received AHS memberships.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, left, and AHS President Deane Hundley, second from right, congratulate winners of the Vegetable and Herb Garden category in the Boston Garden contest.

Members Dig Armitage's Online First Annual Fall Plant Sale and Seminar on Bulbs Antiques RiverShow MORE THAN 300 members from 42 states, the District of Co­ IN SEPTEMBER, the AHS welcomed more than 800 visitors lumbia, Canada, and even Japan enrolled in the American Hor­ to the first Fall Plant Sale and Antiques RiverShow. A dozen ticultural Society's third webinar, "Bulbs That Work" in local nurseries offered hard-to-find perennials, shrubs, ferns, September. The online seminar, presented by University of Geor­ bulbs, and new releases for the 2008 season. Also, Fairfax gia horticulture professor and author Allan Armitage, focused on County Master Gardeners provided plant selection advice and unusual but reliable bulbs for the garden. He discussed a wide fielded gardening questions. range of bulbsfrom blue star flower (Ipheionuniflorum) noted for Modeled on the popular public television program, "An­ its heat tolerance, to poppy anemone (Anemone coronaria) noted tiques RoadShow," the Antiques RiverShow encouraged visi­ for its cold tolerance and large flowers. tors to bring in items such as china, jewelry, and furniture for During the presentation, participants could e-mail in questions professional appraisal. For the $15 appraisal fee, one surprised about bulbs for Armitage to answer. "I loved the opportunity to attendee learned her heirloom quilt could fetch $20,000! An­ ask questions whenever-much better than a face-to-face semi­ tiques dealers also offered specialty antiques for sale. Proceeds nar," says Jane Hennes of Beaufort, South Carolina. from the Antiques RiverShow will support community out­ The AHS also hosted webinars on annuals and perennials, reach projects organized by District II of the National Capi­ presented by Armitage, earlier this year as an exclusive member tal Area Garden Clubs. benefit. These first three webinars have received such an en­ thusiastic response that the AHS will be offering access to the 2007 Gala a Musical Success recordings of them, and developing new offerings for 2008. Keep an eye out for announcements in upcoming issues of The RIVER FARM once again provided an elegant setting for the American Gardener or on the AHS's website (www.ahs.org). AHS's annual gala on September 29. More than 200 guests wan­ Members can also sign up in the members-only area of the web­ dered through the four "Music in the Garden" theme displays cre­ site to receive e-mailed announcements. ated by Virginia-based English Country Gardens, Merrifield

8 THE AMERICAN GARDENER LEFT: VIVEKA NEVELN. RIGHT: STEVE HUNT / COURTESY OF THE MOUNT VERNON VOICE opportunity toshowopportunity offthegardens atRiver Farm,” saysAHS weather provided intimatesettingand perfect dens. “The agreat tet played delightfulclassicalmusicthatcarriedthrough thegar- singing, andeven thesoundofourown footstepsonpathways. inthewind,watercascadingoverleaves rustling stones,birds Each garden designhighlightedthemusicwe enjoy ingardens— Garden Center, Overlooking theAndréBluemel Meadow, theEllipsis Quar- LaPierre Studio , andRuppert Nurseries, Inc. Farm’s gardens andeducationprograms. bathroom. Proceeds from theevent directly River support House—an originalclaw-footbathtubfrom athird floor Canada, andaneven rarer pieceofRiver Farm’s Estate den tourpackagesinSanta Barbara, CaliforniaandToronto, items suchashoneyfrom River Farm’s apiaries,private gar- the AHSanditsprograms over theyears.” The live andsilentauctionsfeatured manyone-of-a-kind for her“unwavering of support Norman, thankedMesservy gala committeewithCaroline Warner, whoco-chaired the ident EmeritusMoss Katy Yo-Yo Ma. In turn,AHSPres- in collaborationwithcellist ing theToronto Music Garden about herinspirationforcreat- Julie Moir Messervy claimed landscapedesigner President Julie MoirMesservy,left. speech bylandscapedesigner Ellipsis Quartet,farleft.anda enjoyed musicperformedbythe Guests attheAHS’s2007Gala November /December2007 Honorary Chairandac- Deane Hundley spoke . 9 10 cert willbefollowedcert by areception. December 15at7:00p.m. Doors openat6:00 p.m. andthecon- cimer player Jody Marshall this season. Florist Flowers Unique, with festive, fragranttrimmings,andlocalfloraldesignersfrom Yacht Haven Garden Club House infullholidayregalia from December 3through 24. VISITORS AREWELCOME River Farm Holiday DisplayandConcertat www.ahs.org M ber’s-only previewsaleisfrom5p.m.to8onApril17.) ington’s RiverFarm,Alexandria,Virginia.(Pleasenote:Mem- burg, Virginia. • • • • • • • • • 2008 • • • 2007 Greater PhiladelphiaArea. val. Garden Show. den Show. Alexandria, Virginia. tion. Farm. Alexandria,Virginia. Botanic Garden. ton’s RiverFarm.Alexandria,Virginia. Amid thesedelightfuldecorations, notedhammered dul- JULY 24–26. MAY 24–OCT.13. MAY 18. MAY 8&9. MAY 4–7. APR. 18&19. MAR. 19–JUNE1. MAR. 12–16. FEB. 20–24.AHSEducationExhibitatNorthwestFlower&Gar- DEC. 15. DEC. 13. DEC. 3–24. the American Gardener Lake BuenaVista,Florida. George Washington’sRiverFarm.Alexandria,Virginia. will creatively decorateRiver Farm’s indoor holidaytrees sponsored orcosponsored by theAHS.Visit ark your calendarforthesenationalevents thatare Seattle, Washington. Friends ofRiverFarmFamilyPicnic. Holiday Concert.GeorgeWashington’sRiverFarm. Annual FriendsofRiverFarm(FORF)HolidayRecep- Colonial WilliamsburgGardenSymposium. or call(703)768-5700formore information. San Francisco,California. Magic ofLandscapes. Holiday TreesDisplay. Washington, D.C. CALENDAR 2007–2008 AHS NATIONALEVENTSANDPROGRAMS National Children&YouthGardeningSymposium. AHS EducationExhibitatSanFranciscoFlower& Friends ofRiverFarmPlantSale The Blossom Shop, andTheEnchanted Green Garage Epcot InternationalFlower&GardenFesti- will adornthehouseinsideandout will present on aholidayconcert to view Riverto view Farm’s Estate ® Exhibit atUnitedStates George Washington’sRiver Lake BuenaVista,Florida. George Washing- . GeorgeWash- Williams- The Garden’s ExecutiveDirectorPaulCappiello. Amatangelo, ElinHaaga,NataliaHamill,RoyKlehm,andYewDell GrahamRice,Sue Garden Schoolspeakers,fromlefttoright: 25 through January 1. day toFriday, andthegrounds willbeclosedfrom December that River Farm’s winterhoursare from 9a.m.to5p.m. Mon- visit Hamill. Nataliaformal, traditionalplantingsfrom horticulturist also learnedeffective waystocombinenative plantswithmore perspective onperennial selectionanddevelopment. Attendees and unfamiliarvinestoattendeesshared histrans-Atlantic asmoderatorforthesessions.Heserved alsointroduced new lowed by AHSmemberSissy Nash’s nearby private garden. of Cave Hill Cemetery’s impressive arboretum andlandscape,fol- and 5inCrestwood, Kentucky. withtours Theprogram started AmazingWorldden School“The ofPlants,” heldonOctober 4 NEARLY SEVENTYGARDENERS Gardens inKentucky AHS GardenSchoolatYew Dell 768-5700 ext.137. added tothemailing list,[email protected] orcall(703) O’Hara’ ofRoy peonycourtesy Klehmandhisnursery. Rohdeaa new Klein—which isnow apublicgarden. Gardens—the formerestateofthelateplantsman, Between toured sessions,participants thehostsite,Yew Dell plained AHSmemberSandra Robinson helped meunderstand‘why’ Irespond gardens,” tocertain ex- ipants solve problems withtheirown garden designs.“Elin Style” includedapracticaldesignworkshop thathelpedpartic- cultivars ideal forcontainergardens. gelo discussedexciting woodyplants whileSue new ery Amatan- To orformore ticketsfortheconcert reserve information, Guest andnotedgarden horticulturist writerGraham Rice For informationonAHS’s 2008Garden Schools,ortobe At theendofGarden eachreceived School,participants Elin Haaga’s presentation “Finding Your OwnGarden from Ball Horticultural Companyintroducedannual new www.ahs.org Roy Klehm selection from Yew Dell Gardens anda‘Scarlett or call(703)768-5700ext.114.Please note of Klehm’s Song Sparrow Farm andNurs- attended theAHS’s Gar- of London,Kentucky. Theodore

COURTESY OF MICHAEL HAYMAN AHS Children's Garden Survey AHS Hosts Spring Trip to Asheville

RECENT VISITORS to the Children's Garden at AHS's River RESPONDING TO many requests from members for trips to Farm headquarters are likely to have encountered Grace regional gardens in the United States, the American Horticul­ Chapman, a student in the Longwood Graduate Program, a tural Society is launching a new National Travel Program, collaboration between Longwood Gardens and the Univer­ which debuts with a trip to Asheville, North Carolina, from sity of Delaware at Newark. As part of her graduate thesis April 22 to 27, 2008. AHS members are invited to join AHS work, Chapman is working with the AHS Education De­ President Deane Hundley for tours of some of the area's most partment staff to survey visitors about their experiences with inspiring landscapes and gardens. the Children's Garden and current programs for young peo­ Tour participants will visit the 434-acre North Carolina Ar­ ple. The results of the survey will be used to help develop rec­ boretum, which is located within the Pisgah National Forest, for ommendations for future gardens and educational programs an up-close look at the botanical diversity of the region. At the at River Farm. Biltmore Estate, originally built by George W. Vanderbilt in the As part of her thesis project, Chapman is interviewing ed­ 1880s, participants will tour not only the historic buildings, but ucators from children's gardens at Michigan State University the grand gardens and grounds that were designed by Frederick in East Lansing, Huntington Botanical Garden in San Mari­ Law Olmsted, America's father of landscape architecture. Other no, California, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New sites on the agenda include the historic Richmond Hill Inn, fea­ York to learn about their most successful programs. She is also turing a Queen Ann-style mansion built in 1889 that is surrounded speaking with the designers of these gardens to learn how best by six acres of manicured Victorian gardens, as well as several spec­ to incorporate children's gardens into larger public gardens. tacular private gardens around Asheville. Chapman expects to present her findings and recommen­ For more information about this trip, visit www.ahs.orgor dations to the AHS Board of Directors in June 2008. If you contact AHS Travel Program Coordinator Diana Birasat (636) would like to participate in the survey of River Farm's Children's 305-0086 or [email protected]. � Garden, please e-mail [email protected] and mention "Survey" in the subject line. News written by Editorial Assistant Caroline Bentley.

In addition to vital support through membershipdues, the American Horticultural Society relies on grants, bequests, and other gifts to support its programs. We would like to thank thefollowing donorsfor gifts received between August 1 and September 30, 2007.

Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail,Jr. Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison In memory ofRichard R. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel Mr. and Mrs. Ken Mountcastle Dade Behring Count and Countess Peder Bonde National Sporting Library Mr. Richard C. and Mrs. Katherine Mr. and Mrs. James T. Norman In memory ofAnn Kortwight Stark Bull Mr. and Mrs. J. Landon Reeve, IV Ms. Margaret Norton Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Burke, III Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. SUNY Downstate Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Mrs. Deen Day Sanders Mr. and Mrs. William L. Carr, III Anonymous In memory ofDr. Agnes Gilwa Ms. Anne S. Chatham Mr. and Mrs. William Seale SUNY Downstate Mr. and Mrs. James F. Delano Mrs. Jeanne Otis Shields Ms. Marguerite P. Foster Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey In honor ofJack Allen Gregory Fine Portraits ValleyCrest Companies Ms. Susan Wilson Mr. Gerald T. Halpin Mr. Joe Viar,Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Huffman Walt Disney World Co. In honor ofArabella Dane Mr. Franklin Y. Hundley,Jr. Ms. Katy Moss Warner Atkinson Garden Club Mr. Deane H. Hundley Mr. and Mrs. John W. White, Sr. Mrs. Dorothy Marston Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Matheson,Jr. Monrovia Nursery Company

If you would like to support the American Horticultural Society as part of your estate planning, as a tribute to a loved one, or as part of your annual commitment to charitable giving, please contact Sue Galvin, (703) 768-5700 ext. 111 or [email protected].

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2007 II 12 by CarolineBentley H ESSPECIAL: NEWS AHS preserve theiruniqueheritage,inessence preserve to planttrees andflowers, tidyup, and local businesses,residents, andvolunteers than 200communitiestocooperatewith “clean” landfill! youth gardening, green roofs, andeven a topics suchascommunityrecycling, educational sessionsandtourscovered novative green solutions.Diverse spired withexamplesofin- participants and landscapearchitect Doug Hoerr tection AgencyDirector Douglas Scott sentations by Illinois Environmental Pro- ford, Illinois, from September 27through Thisyear’sefforts. event, hostedby Rock- awards fortheiroutstandingbeautification Awards Gala, 13communitiesreceived A Since 2002,AIBhas challengedmore Bloom (AIB)Symposium and T THE the American Gardener 6th AnnualAmericain nities nationwide. senting 39commu- 250 peoplerepre- 29, drew acrowd of Keynote pre- America inBloom’s2007Award Winners in- Argonne Avenue (formerlyOldMainStreet). Flower bedsand containersaddcolorto the KirkwoodHistoricalSociety. Above: Award. Left:RestoredMudd’sGrove, homeof this year’sAHSCommunityInvolvement Scenes fromKirkwood,Missouri, winnerof beautification programs suchasAIB. results achieved through community ceremony highlightedtheoutstanding “planting prideinAmerica.”Theawards ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ CRITERIA AWARDWINNERS ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ POPULATION CATEGORYAWARDWINNERS The ScottsCo.Turf&GroundcoverAreasAward Project EvergreenLandscapedAreasAward Meister MediaWorldwideHeritagePreservationAward Lesco/John DeereLandscapesTidinessAwardGreendale,Indiana J. FrankSchmidt&SonCompanyUrbanForestryAward Gardens Alive!EnvironmentalAwarenessAwardRedWing,Minnesota Ball HorticulturalCompanyFloralDisplaysAward American HorticulturalSocietyCommunityInvolvementAward 100,001–300,000 50,001–100,000 25,001–50,000 15,001–25,000 10,001–15,000 5,001–10,000 under 5,000 Ocala, Florida Rockford, Illinois Beloit, Wisconsin Red Wing,Minnesota Buffalo, Minnesota St. Clairsville,Ohio Frankenmuth, Michigan inbloom.org America In Bloom, visitwww.america orfor moreparticipate information about Japan. To learnhow your communitycan communities from Canada,Europe, and Bloom, where theywillcompetewith the 2008International Communitiesin AIB Board President Community Involvement Award,” says nition Kirkwood received withtheAHS whathasledtotherecog-that is,inpart, have pulled togetherlikenever before, and souri. “Kirkwood isspecial,asitscitizens year went tothecityofKirkwood, Mis- munity Involvement Award, whichthis zation andalsosponsorsthegroup’s Com- areasnew forimprovement. highlights theirstrengths andsuggests community receives anevaluation that areas. ofthejudgingprocess, each Aspart scaped areas, andgroundcover andturf land- tidiness, heritagepreservation, tal awareness, urbanforestry, landscape volvement, floraldisplays, environmen- each ineightcriteria:communityin- each communityandassignedratingsfor The AmericanGardener. Caroline Bentley isaneditorialassistantwith Beloit, Wisconsin AIB willinvitefive ofthewinnersto organi- The AHSisanAIBpartnering Over thesummer, AIBjudgesvisited Peoria, Arizona Saratoga Springs,NewYork or call(614)487-1117. Norwich, Connecticut Ithaca, NewYork Kirkwood, Missouri Marvin MillerMarvin . 

LEFT: COURTESY OF MARGY TERPSTRA. RIGHT: COURTESY OF BILL RUPPERT COURTESY OF KATY MOSS WARNER A can dotoplantbeautiful, colorful,droughttolerant landscapesin- Garden,” whichdemonstrateswhat homeownersandbusinesses plex ofgovernmentalbuildings. Anewlyinstalled“DesertFusion first meetingatthePeoriaCity Hall campus,animpressivecom- and Iwereabitnervous,too. of theSouthwestwerenotasfamiliartousEasterners—Leonard judging opportunity—andbecausetheplantsandlandscapestyle beautification committeewereabitnervous.Asthiswasmyfirst time PeoriahadenteredtheAIBcontest,sopeopleon ing communityleadersandtouringthecity.Thiswasfirst We spentthreedaysinMaythisdesertcitynearPhoenix,meet- FIRST STOP:PEORIA materials receivedfromthecities,wewereoff! Once travelarrangementswereinplaceandpreliminarystudy petition inthatcategory:Peoria,Arizona,andRockford,Illinois. ulations of100,001to300,000.Twocitieshadenteredthecom- me throughmyfirstexperience. I wasverypleasedtohaveaseasonedjudgelikeLeonardleading with theUniversityofVermont. Cooperative Extensionagent teams—was LeonardPerry,a AIB judgestravelintwo-person learned myjudgingpartner—all completing thetraining,I day trainingprogram.After haustive andinspirationaltwo- task wasparticipatinginanex- to consider. new programstheymightwant their effortsandrecommends judges thatencouragesthemin nity receivesareportfromthe but eachparticipatingcommu- nition asaresultoftheirefforts, cities potentiallyreceiverecog- the contest.Notonlydo ate thecitiesparticipatingin each yeartopersonallyevalu- volunteer judgeswhogoout submitted photosandwrittenmaterial,AIBhasteamsoftrained tification efforts. award program,whichpromotesandrecognizescommunitybeau- all acrossAmerica“plantingpride”astheycompeteinAIB’s by KatyMossWarner A PERSONALACCOUNT: EVALUATING BEAUTYONECITYAT ATIMEFORAMERICAINBLOOM After landinginPhoenix,Leonard andIwerewhiskedtoour Our assignmentwastoevaluateparticipatingcitieswithpop- As anovicejudge,myfirst Unlike manyawards programs,whichmakedecisionsbasedon my privilegetobeaneyewitnesscitiesandcommunities S ANEWJUDGE for AmericainBloom(AIB),ithasbeen staff andmembersofthecity'sAIBcommittee. from theleft,atMidwayVillageinRockford,Illinois,with AIB judgesKatyMossWarnerandLeonardPerry,thirdfourth Society andamember ofAmerica inBloom’s Board ofDirectors. Katy Moss Warner ispresident emeritusoftheAmerican Horticultural preserve andprotectitsnativewildlife.Thecitypartnerswith their city.WecameawayimpressedbyPeoria’scommitmentto and homeowners—eachonepassionateaboutacriticalaspectof mayor tocouncilmembers,businessleaders,keymunicipalstaff, ment toeducatingitscitizensaboutwaterconservation. stead oflawn,providedimmediateevidencePeoria’scommit- program and“plantpride”ofyour own! I encourageeachAHSmember togetyourcommunityintheAIB was oneofthemostrewardingaspects ofservingasanAIBjudge. racy work,onebeautiful,greencityatatime.Seeingthisinaction ergized communitiesliketheseallaroundAmericamakingdemoc- tions offinancialsupport,time,andleadership. residents fromallwalksoflifeandwerestruckbytheircontribu- ing itscityagreatplacetolive.Wemetwithmorethan45Rockford contemporary theater,wesawacommunityactivelyinvolvedinmak- lic andprivategardens,alivinghistorymuseum,aninnovative baskets. FromthepowerfulPeacePlazatostrikinglybeautifulpub- of itshistoricalbuildingsandstreetslinedwithfloweringhanging perhaps evensomeofitsresidentsknow.Weexperiencedthecharm things. Wewerenotdisappointed. this year’sAIBhostcity,soLeonardandIwereexpectinggreat category intheAIBprogramtwoyearsagoandwasservingas During ourvisit,wemetwithawiderangeofcitizensfromthe During Our countryisgreatbecauseatthegrassrootslevelwehaveen- We spentthreedayslearningmoreaboutthisvibrantcitythan Rockford, acityaboutanhour In July,LeonardandIvisited ON TOROCKFORD right direction in placeareheadingthe were convincedtheprograms AIB judgingcriteria,butwe not scoreperfectlyonallthe families there.Thecitydid Peoria tostayandraisetheir courage thosewhogrowupin focused onpoliciesthaten- history andculture.Itisalso gion’s richNativeAmerican that aresignificanttothere- developers toconserveareas Rockford wonitspopulation commitment tobeautification. facturing andalong-time impressive historyofmanu- north ofChicagothathasan November /December2007  13 14 for theirsurvival. maintain thebody temperature needed rived from fatinwintertohelpthem Birds mustconsume alotofcaloriesde- arewhen theirberriesorfruit high infats. ter are valuable—especially particularly through win- that hangontotheirfruit in Ithaca, New York. Shrubs andtrees Watch attheCornellLabofOrnithology ter, theproject leaderforProject Feeder- saysornithologistDavid Bon- of fruit,” andeatalot orous diet inthewintertime breeding season switch toamore omniv- “Many birds thateatinsectsduringthe BERRY BUFFET W “Bird Feeders withRoots,” page17.) plants thatprovide forbirds inwinter, see dense growth (For ofshrubs. alistof mainly ontheground butnestinthe on andunderbark. Andcardinals feed and feedontree seedsandinsectsfound oftrees, wherethe sanctuary theynest nest beneathbushes.Nuthatches prefer ple, are ground-feeders andnearlyalways ing sites.Towhees andjuncos,forexam- do theirpreferences forshelterand nest- species, thelocation,andtimeofyear. So different birds theyneed. witheverything plants accommodatesthepreferences of ered canopyofevergreen anddeciduous Designing alandscapewithmulti-lay- safe placetoraiseafamilycomespring. basic needs—food,water, shelter, anda a habitatthatprovides themwithafew winter birds healthyandhappyby creating ter elements. protect resident songbirds facingthewin- uous trees leave littleshelterto andshrubs berries hasdwindled.What’s more, decid- covered insnow. and Theselectionoffruits have beencleanedupatseason’s endorare ing plantshave beenconsumed;others nate andare hard tofind.Many seed-bear- becausemosthiber- much ofthecountry forage. Tasty insectsare offthemenuin ficult andshelterbecomesmore scarce. lenging asfindingfoodproves more dif- for backyard birds, wintercanbechal- permarket orturnupthethermostat.But need todoismakeaquicktripthesu- A bird’s foodpreferences among vary With alittleplanning,you cankeep Shorter daysmeanlesstimeforbirds to the American Gardener HEN ITCOMES worries forhumans.Allwe and shelter, winterholdsno to food of plantscreatesahabitatthatcanhelpensure theirsurvival. For birdsthattakewinterresidenceinyourgarden, therightmix making lifedifficult forbirdssuchasthismale Oregondark-eyedjunco. In manypartsof thecountry,snowandicecan coverfoodandwatersources inwinter, spp.), sumac(Rhus Examples includehawthorn weather softensandsweetens thefruits. birds findthemunpalatable untilcold Many intowinteras plantsholdtheirfruit magnolia, anddogwood(Cornus berry trees such asbay- andshrubs berry-laden nia Gardens Winter Bird-Friendly Offer ahigh-fat buffetthatincludes spp.), Americanbittersweet (Celastrus (Myrica pensylvanica), sassafras, spp.), chokeberry (Aro-spp.), chokeberry (Crataegus spp.). eaters. Andsomeinsecteaters alsorely adees, sparrows, andfinches,are seed Many ofourwinterbirds, suchaschick- SEEDED SPECIALS lia), ginia creeper scandens), sustain birds intoearly spring. hollies and crabapple(Malus (Ilex juniper spp.) produce berriesthatcan (Parthenocissus quinquefo- BY KRISWETHERBEE (Juniperus spp.). Some spp.), Vir-

RICK WETHERBEE The fruits of a crabapple tree and the standing seedheads of sedum below offer sustenance to visiting birds in this small Long Island garden.

more on seeds as winter sets in. An as- nance because they are drought-tolerant University of Arizona in Tucson. He sug- sortment of perennials and annuals offers once established. gests allowing grasses such as needle grass a good source of the seeds they love. The seedheads on many grasses are a (Nassella spp.) to remain through winter to You can help ensure a seed feast by al- major source of food for a variety of birds, attract and sustain the grassland birds that lowing spent flowers to remain at season’s particularly in the Southwest, where many depend on the seeds. end so the seeds can mature. Many seed- grassland species migrate for winter. “This Shrubs and trees also feed hungry bearing perennials such as coneflowers group of birds has experienced a greater de- chickadees, grosbeaks, and other birds. (Echinacea spp.), tickseed (Coreopsis cline over the past half century than any Maples (Acer spp.) have winged seeds; spp.), penstemons, and sedums are easy other group of birds in the U.S.,” says or- spruces (Picea spp.) are beautifully to grow and require minimal mainte- nithologist Charles van Riper III of the adorned with colorful and pendulous

Left: The fruits of Washington hawthorn (Crateaegus phaenopyrum) sweeten and soften during winter. Above: Swallows, warblers, and thrushes savor the fruit of

TOP AND BOTTOM RIGHT: SUSAN A. ROTH. LEFT: SAXON HOLT northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica).

November / December 2007 15 16 offer anexcellentsourceoffoodforoverwinteringbirds. shelter. Right:Thedecorativeseedheadsofmanyornamentalgrasses viburnum, spirea,andwinterberryhollytoprovidebirdswithbothfood Above: Thishedgerow,designedbyMaryAnnMcGourty,includes tract thewidest variety ofseed-eating birds, in manyshapes and sizes. These feedersat- perches onthesidesandare available come equippedwithhoppers or a tree ormountedonapole.They mourning doves willflocktothem. juncos, towhees, chickadees,and ground and ground-feeders suchas feeders onetothree feetabove the ety ofbackyard birds. Place these out. Theyaccommodateawidevari- bottom tokeepseedsfrom spilling are designedwith anedgearound the ing habits.Tray orplatformfeeders accommodate birds eat- with varying at version of this article That Satisfy” linkedfrom theonline selecting therightseed,see“Seeds featuring justonetypeofseed(forhelp tract more bird speciesthanonefeeder ers placedatdifferent heightswillat- mind thatavariety ofseed-filledfeed- weather andalsokeepsseedsdry. Bear in is sturdy enoughtowithstandwinter den’s offerings.Lookforabird feeder that are supplementtoyour gar- animportant cold winternights,sowell-stocked feeders tokeepwarmon body weight justtrying Birds canloseseven to15percent oftheir SUPPLEMENTING THEFEAST sist intowinter. many birds withbeanlikepodsthatper- seeded cones;redbuds (Cercis Hopper feederscanbehungfrom A variety of stylesare available to the American Gardener www.ahs.org). spp.) attract toperiod ordaylength,”saysBonter. “You gration istriggered by changesinpho- will notaffecttheirmigrationhabits.“Mi- a seedhighlyfavored by thefinchfamily. er openingscanbefilledwithNyjer seed— Specialty tubefeedersdesignedwithsmall- finches, siskins,redpolls, andnuthatches. es—are favored by smallerbirds suchas andperch- drical unitswithfeedingports including grosbeaks, cardinals, and jays. this two-chambered hangingfeeder. A cardinalanda finchfeedfromthetrayof Providing supplementalseedsforbirds Suspended tubefeeders—long,cylin- their landscapes, “as this plantisafa- that gardeners retain some ofthesein and coniferous evergreens are essentialin from predators orfoulweather, broadleaf place where birds cannestortakecover ciduous trees, andvinesprovide shrubs, a for avariety ofbirds. Althoughdense de- forground-feeding birdsshrubs totalltrees Shelter plantsrange from low-growing UNDER COVER for migratingbirds tomove on,theywill.” in your backyard, butwhenitcomes time can offeranamazingsmorgasbord offood west,” saysvan Riper. He suggests a focalpointforbirds intheSouth- spp.), as especiallywhenlarge,serves these plantsalsobearediblefruit. using three tofive ofakind.Many of (Rubus ash (Hamamelis trees suchaswitchhazel andshrubs of mixed evergreen anddeciduous er alsoaddscolorandtexture. cera nitida), pyracantha, box honeysuckle holly broadleaf evergreens suchasAmerican birds year-round shelter. Mixing in spp.), andpines(Pinus spp.) andtheneedlesofspruce liage ofjunipersandarborvitae the wintergarden. Thescalelikefo- “The native cholla “The If spaceallows, create ahedgerow (Sorbus (Ilex opaca), spp.), viburnum,andjuniper, spp.), trailingblackberry and evergreen cotoneast- spp.), holly, mountain rhododendron, spp.) offer (Opuntia (Thuja (Loni- (Picea

TOP LEFT: KAREN BUSSOLINI; TOP RIGHT: JERRY PAVIA. BOTTOM: DONNA KRISCHAN BIRD FEEDERS WITH ROOTS

These bird-friendly plants and trees serve up a smorgasbord of wintertime seeds and berries that birds love to eat. Many of these plants also provide a place where birds can hide from predators or take cover from harsh weather. For some regionally specific sug- gestions, check out the National Audubon Society web page, www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/PlantsCommon.html.

Plant Birds Attracted Comments ANNUALS Cosmos Many birds, including juncos, finches, Seedheads provide food in late fall and winter; flowers (Cosmos spp.) sparrows, and buntings provide nectar for hummingbirds from summer to fall Sunflowers Wide variety of bird species, including Prolific seed producer; offers a high-fat/high-energy (Helianthus spp.) cardinals, finches, chickadees, titmice, food source nuthatches, and juncos Zinnias Many birds, including finches, chickadees, Nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds and continue (Zinnia spp.) titmice, and sparrows into late fall

PERENNIALS Asters Many birds, including cardinals, goldfinches, Nectar-rich flowers in late summer and fall, followed (Aster spp.) chickadees, nuthatches, and towhees by seedheads in fall and winter Coneflowers Finches, chickadees, nuthatches, Summer flowers followed by orange-brown cones that (Echinacea spp.) towhees, and other seed-eating birds darken as seeds mature; seedheads hang on into winter Sedums Finches, chickadees, grosbeaks, siskins, Nectar-rich flowers appeal to hummingbirds; upright (Sedum spp.) and other seed-eating birds types, such as ‘Autumn Joy’, offer abundant seeds

VINES & GROUNDCOVERS Kinnikinnick A variety of ground-feeding birds, including Evergreen groundcover with fall berries that persist (Arctostaphylos sparrows and towhees into winter uva-ursi) Virginia creeper Many bird species including warblers, Fall fruits persist into winter; provides seasonal shelter (Parthenocissus robins, thrushes, bluebirds, vireos, and nesting sites quinquefolia) cardinals, and woodpeckers

SHRUBS Cotoneasters Many bird species, including towhees, Evergreen, semi-evergreen, or deciduous shrubs with (Cotoneaster spp.) robins, mockingbirds, waxwings, and late summer to autumn berries remaining through finches winter; nectar-rich flowers appeal to hummingbirds; provides shelter and nesting sites Spruces Many birds, especially grosbeaks, Evergreen, coniferous trees and shrubs (Picea spp.) chickadees, woodpeckers, and nuthatches produce seed-bearing cones and offer year-round shelter and nesting sites Viburnums A variety of birds, including woodpeckers, Deciduous and evergreen shrubs provide nest (Viburnum spp.) mockingbirds, finches, bluebirds, robins, sites and cover; summer and fall fruit sometimes grosbeaks, and thrushes persist into winter, depending on the species

TREES Eastern juniper Many birds, such as cedar waxwings, robins, Provides shelter and nesting sites; fall fruit persists (Juniperus finches, flickers, warblers, grosbeaks, into winter virginiana) and bluebirds Dogwoods Robins, bluebirds, vireos, juncos, cardinals, Late summer to fall berries remain through winter; (Cornus spp.) warblers, and towhees high-fat berries are an important food source for migrating birds Hollies A variety of fruit-eating birds, including Evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs with fall (Ilex spp.) bluebirds, robins, waxwings, finches, and fruits that last into early spring; great tree woodpeckers for nesting sites and shelter, especially in winter

November / December 2007 17 Resources GETTING INVOLVED IN BIRD CONSERVATION Attracting Birds, Butterflies & Other Count the birds in your own backyard and take part in bird conservation on a nation- Winged Wonders to Your Backyard al scale. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a joint project of the Cornell Lab of by Kris Wetherbee. Lark Books, Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, is an annual four-day event in Feb- Asheville, North Carolina, 2006. ruary that involves people of all levels of birding experience and expertise. Last Bird-by-Bird Gardening by Sally Roth. year’s participants recorded 629 bird Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylva- species and sightings of more than 11 mil- nia, 2006. lion individual birds across the United States and Canada. Visit www.birdsource. Bird Source, www.birdsource.org. org to find out how you can participate in creating a detailed snapshot of where the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, birds are across the continent. www.birds.Cornell.edu. Project FeederWatch is another conti- nent-wide study of birds that visit backyard National Audubon Society, feeders, nature centers, and other locales. www.audubon.org. Bird counting can be a family activity Participants in the winter-long program— operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Point Reyes Bird Observatory Landscap- and Bird Studies Canada—help scientists track movements of winter bird populations ing for Birds, www.prbo.org/cms/183. and long term trends in the distribution and population of birds. Anyone with an in- terest in birds can participate. Visit www.feederwatch.org for information on how to re- Project FeederWatch, ceive a research kit containing everything you need to get started—including a bird www.feederwatch.org. identification poster and resource guide to bird feeding. —K.W. vorite nesting location, providing pro- fresh water source can be especially hard baths. Birdbaths offer a quick and easy tection from the many nest predators to find in winter. way to provide water at any time of year, found throughout the Southwest.” A heated birdbath is a great way to at- but even a shallow waterproof container tract birds to the winter garden. You can such as a glazed plant saucer or rock with DON’T FORGET WATER also keep water from freezing in an exist- a natural depression will work. When it comes to attracting birds, water ing birdbath by adding a submersible, Consider the placement of your bird- is a powerful magnet. Birds need access thermostatically controlled water heater baths carefully, cautions van Riper. “Be to water year round, but a dependable specifically designed for outdoor bird- careful that you do not set up ‘death traps’ where the water is neatly hidden in the vegetation and predators wait in ambush for the birds. Either utilize elevated water bird-baths or pans on the ground, but all in the open.” A bird-friendly winter garden needn’t be large to be effective. You can start with a few trees, shrubs, and perennials, accent- ed with bird feeders, nest boxes, and bird- baths. An area as little as 10 by 10 feet, such as a large flower bed, a border of mixed shrubs, or even the planted edge of a deck or patio, can significantly increase the bird population in your yard. Of course, the larger the habitat, the more birds you’ll at- tract—and the greater the rewards. 

Kris Wetherbee and her photographer hus- band, Rick, live in Oregon. Their most re- cent book is Attracting Birds, Butterflies & Other Winged Wonders to Your Backyard

Evergreen trees and shrubs such as this juniper provide shelter for birds such as this fox sparrow. (Lark Books, 2006). TOP: BETH DOBBERSTEIN / COURTESY OF CORNELL LAB ORNITHOLOGY; BOTTOM: JEAN KUNS ORNITHOLOGY

18 the American Gardener LEFT TO RIGHT: COURTESY OF YOU GROW GIRL, GARDENRANT, THIS GARDEN IS ILLEGAL L interests world,you’ll inthevirtual note nicate withothers whoshare similar line garden asameanstocommu- forums possible, andeven easy. your own garden. Blogs makeallofthis to writeaboutandshare photographsof ispublished.Youarticle mighteven like a regular basisrather thanwhenever an garden writer’s gardening techniques on interested inlearning aboutyour favorite their successesandfailures. You mightbe other people’s gardens orreading about might beinterested inseeingpictures of garden-sharing withother gardeners. You blogs are thekey toanentire worldof orjournal,butmore thanthat, line diary The simpleanswer isthatabloganon- in the Virtual Gardening to tuneinandparticipatethisworldwideonlinecommunity. Garden blogshavesprunguplikeweedsoverthelastfewyears—here’s whatyouneedtoknow For thosewhohave ventured intoon- ET’S JUMP “blog” andwhyshouldyou care? questions:What’sportant a right inwiththeim- Blogosphere troversy. Blogs deliver their contentim- toavoid con- while garden try forums don’t. Blogs are opinionated by nature or writersasacommercial venture. are writtenby professional horticulturists blogs withmultipleauthors,or thosethat comment on.You mayalsoseegarden about anythingthatthebloggercares to ners, localandnationalissues,just ing. You mayseementionsofkids,part- not, what’s inbloom,what’s dead orthriv- garden, describingwhat’s working, what’s gardener writesabouthis orherpersonal sues. In contrast,onablog,passionate garden todiscusswatergarden forum is- lems withperennials. You visitthewater andyou’reals forum talkingaboutprob- issue; forexample,you’re intheperenni- tendstofocusonasingle blogs. Aforum some keydifferences between themand Blogs share pictures; most forums and there are others goingthrough sim- not aloneout there inthisbig garden for your own gardening We’re efforts. the worldandtogive you aframework understand how different gardeners see there isnothinglikereading blogsto exchange.every Andyou’ll soonseethat tion” andyou canlearnsomethingfrom says thatbloggingis“likeaconversa- GardenRant Susan Harris, oneoffourbloggerson MAKING CONNECTIONS impersonal. tendtobemoreauthor whileforums conversations between readers and the ating arelationship by havingdirect want totalkabout.Blogs are about cre- on linkstosearch around forwhatyou Forums demandthatyou visitandclick mediately andrighttoyour desktop. November /December2007 (www.gardenrant.com), BY DOUGGREEN 19 Top Garden Blogs Here are a few garden blogs that are highly rated by Technorati, a blog search engine.

Cold Climate Gardening, www.coldclimategardening.com

Doug Green’s Garden, www.douggreensgarden.com

Gardening Tips ‘n’ Ideas, www.gardeningtipsnideas.com

GardenRant, www.gardenrant.com

May Dreams Gardens, http://may Top left: Contributors to Gardenrant include (clockwise from top left) Elizabeth Licata, Michele dreamsgardens.blogspot.com Owens, Amy Stewart, and Susan Harris. Top right: Hanna Rhoades blogs on This Garden is Illegal. This Garden Is Illegal, ilar experiences. For example, readers of meeting other Generation X gardeners— www.thisgardenisillegal.com my own blog (www.douggreensgarden.com) she discovered that kindred spirits came in love to hear that I have problems—that all age ranges. If you’re curious about how You Grow Girl, www.yougrowgirl.com my garden has bugs and weeds and and why some of the earliest garden blog- other challenges they can relate to. gers got their start, Purdy chronicled this Carol Michel from May Dreams Gar- development in a fascinating series of arti- Resources dens (www.maydreamsgardens.blogspot. cles and interviews at www.coldclimate Free blog software com) says that “you won’t ever meet as gardening.com/garden-blog-pioneers. ■ www.blogger.com many passionate gardeners in real life as ■ www.wordpress.com you can in the virtual world of the web.” NAVIGATING THE GARDEN BLOGOSPHERE ■ www.livejournal.com Kathy Purdy of Cold Climate Gardening To get started, you can go to any of the (www.coldclimategardening.com) agrees, most popular blogs listed in the box on the Free feed readers saying that reading blogs is like “being part right, many of which include a list of other ■ www.yahoo.com (your account has of an international gardening club.” garden blogs. You can also go to one of the an RSS reader) Indeed, many garden bloggers get largest directories of garden blogs, Garden ■ www.google.com/reader started in an effort to find kindred spirits Voices, at http://voices.gardenweb.com. On ■ www.feedreader.com when ones in everyday life are lacking. ■ www.bloglines.com And in the case of Hanna Rhoades—who started her blog, This Garden is Illegal (www.thisgardenisillegal.com), in hopes of the right hand side of the screen, you’ll see a list of hundreds of garden blogs. Click on the links and you’ll be whisked away to visit another gardener. On any of these blogs, you’ll see that in- dividual articles are dated and organized one after another with the most recent post first. This is not surprising considering that “blog” is short for “web log,” and indeed, many people use them as an online diary of their opinions and experiences. If you decide you want to read a par- ticular blogger’s posts on a regular basis, a blog’s Really Simple Syndication (RSS) The author, right, often shares photos of his system makes it easy. Rather than having

own garden on his blog, above. to bookmark the blog like a regular web- TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF GARDENRANT; RIGHT: HANNA RHOADES; BOTTOM: DOUG GREEN (2)

20 the American Gardener COURTESY OF BLOGGER AND TYPEPAD den bloggingisallabout. down-in-the-dirt experiencesiswhat gar- And thisopen-endedexchange ofreal life, what’s toitswriterand readers. important blogshares many subscribersithas,every matter how populartheblogorhow successfulblog.Noinfectious aboutevery passion forplantsandgardening.” soon realize you aren’t aloneinyour hyper- you read.” Regardless, Michel says,“you’ll traditional media,“don’t believe everything itorial processes orfactcheckinglike cause blogsdon’t typicallygothrough ed- May Dreams Gardens cautionsthat,be- of yougrowgirl.com). However, Carol Michel Gayla Trail from You Grow Girl style” ofothergarden media,observes ormorestructional authoritarianwriting in gardening tooffsetthetraditionalin- blog orjustshare commentsonothers. quickly—whether you writeyour own and findthatonlinefriendshipsbloom ments. You’ll windup inaconversation about thepostoreven theothercom- Don’t beafraidtoaddyour own comment those linkstoseewhatothershave said. link atthebottomofeachpost.Clickon ger haswritten;you’ll seethecomments being abletocommentonwhattheblog- One ofthedelightsvisitingblogsis WORLDWIDE CONVERSATIONS postsbynew e-mail. link, orallow you toreceive noticesof Some blogsmayjusthave a“Subscribe” RSS feedyou cansubscribeto. site orblog,itmeansthere’s an have RSSreaders builtrightintothem. plug-in called“Sage” andotherbrowsers box ontheoppositepage.IuseaFirefox ones are listedunder“Resources” inthe ofthemostpopularandfreeforms—a few ically findthisupdateandbringittoyou. your RSSreader, thereader willautomat- added toablogyou subscribetothrough blogs. Every informationis timenew gator toeasilykeeptrackofnumerous site, you canuseanRSSreader oraggre- ging since2005. lives inOntario, Canada. He hasbeenblog- who author andexperiencednurseryman Doug Green isanaward-winning garden This passionforgardening iswhatso This interactivitygives “people avoice When you seethissymbolonaweb- An RSSreader comesinavariety of (www.  to getstarted.Blogger.comonlyrequiresthreeclickscreateablog,forexample. (listed inthe“Resources”boxonoppositepage)offeraquickandeasyway money tostartyourownblog.Severalfree—oropensource—softwareprograms blog, evenwritingfromfaroffsouthwesternAustralia. blogging justtosharehisgardenandmeetpeople.Nowhehasapopular he hasnottakengardeningcourses,he’sanenthusiasticgardenerandstarted URL usingoneofthemajorsoftwaresystems,suchas efforts. This,too,canbeeasilysetupbyallowingafewadvertisements onyourblog. write andpublishyourblog,youmayevenfindyourselfmaking moneywithyour from GardenTips‘n’Ideas the importantthingsthatgooninyourgardenlife.Forexample,StuartRobinson to beanexpertgardeneroracomputergeek—youonlyneedwillingshare While thereareprofessionalgardenbloggersoutthere,bloggingdoesn’trequireyou STARTING YOUROWNBLOG to turnoffthecomputerand wander outtothegarden. cate toit.Andtheminuteyou findyourselfgettingtooseriousaboutit,it’stime takes overyourlife,soit’simportant todecidehowmuchtimeyouwantdedi- Kathy PurdyfromColdClimate Gardeningwarns,bloggingcanbesomuchfun,it give youmoreflexibilitybutcome withmoremaintenanceproblems.However,as You don’thavetounderstandcomplicatedwebdesignlanguagesorinvestany Once youhavemasteredthefreebloggingworld,canmove ontoyourown (www.gardeningtipsnideas.com) November /December2007 www.typepad.com, says thateventhough gimp.org). available at modifying software with Gimp(freephoto or youcanexperiment shop canbehelpful, such asAdobePhoto- photo editingsoftware needed, standard or cropimagesas come alive.Toshrink make yourwords photographs helpsto section. through thecomments with yourreaders advises interacting in between.Healso weekly, orsomewhere whether it’sdaily, your postsconsistent, ing thefrequencyof interested andkeep- posts tokeepreaders mends writingregular Herecom- make it.” plicated youwantto cide howeasyorcom- own blog,youcande- “Once youhaveyour Uploading digital As Robinsonsays, And asyou —D.G. www. that 21 22 Shrubs Winter-Blooming (Stackpole, 1997). east, den: Planning andPlanting fortheSouth- garden books,includingTheWinter Gar- Peter Loewer haswrittenmore than adozen T ing are amongmyfavorites. them allthemore endearing.Thefollow- to brightenthewinterlandscapemakes the novelty offlowers thatbrave thecold spring orsummerismore extensive, but thatflowercourse, thelistofshrubs in garden are Of winter-bloomingshrubs. Berries,” opposite page). absence offoliage(see“Beautiful Bark and oftrees unmaskedbyfruit the andshrubs, as doesthebranchinghabit,bark, and ings, orwallsbecomeespeciallyapparent, of materialsusedtocreate pathways,edg- at anyothertimeoftheyear, thetextures requires someforethought. More sothan temperatures drop. into theirown when daysgrow and short learned alotabouttheplantsthatcome Northeast andtheSoutheast, Ihave So, ofboththe havinglived incolderparts depth of10feet,anddeeplyfrozen ground. harsher winters,withsnows oftentoa tion thanAsheville,mygarden endured York City. Despite beingatalower eleva- Mountains ofNew about100milesnorth and chillyrainsmistspredominate. opposed toharshcold—sosnows are soft, I live, isbestdescribedasreduced heat,as mate inAsheville,North Carolina, where ly, whenChristmasapproaches, thecli- in mygardens—the snows do,too. Usual- BY PETERLOEWER But theclearchampionsofwinter Planning agarden withwinterinmind Years ago,Igardened intheCatskill the American Gardener coauthored Mellichamp withLarry O PARAPHRASE little catfeet,sometimes—atleast Sandburg, notonlyfogcomeson poet Carl  9–5) bearsfragrantyellowflowers onbarebranchesinlatewinter.Anothernoteworthyspecies, from theirdrying seed podswithsuchexplosiveforce, itcanbeeasilyheardoncold winterdays. small tree.Itproduces smallfallandearlywinter flowers. Witchhazelsdischarge black seeds H. virginiana H. Above: Chinesewitchhazel Perk upyourwinterlandscapewiththesecolorfulshrubs. (Zones 3–8,8–1),isnativetothe easternUnitedStates,whereitoftenbecomesa (Hamamelis mollis, (Hamamelis USDA HardinessZones5–9,AHS HeatZones

MARK TURNER TOP: KAREN BUSSOLINI. BOTTOM: SUSAN A. ROTH It’s idealforaslopeortopofwall,whereitstrailingstemsshowtogoodeffect. drought tolerantandadaptswelltomostgardensoil,itgrowsbestinasitewithdecentdrainage. on warmJanuarydays.Theleavesdonotappearuntilwellintospring.Whilewinterjasmineis bright yellow,aboutaninchindiameter,andbloomoffonallwinterlong,usuallystarting China thatcanspreadfiveto10feet,butitsaverageheightisaboutthreefeet.Theflowersare Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum, (Jasminum Zones 6–9,9–6)isaramblingdeciduousshrubfrom chinense best inpartshadeandacidicsoil. A memberofthewitchhazelfamily, itgrows ‘Burgundy’ (left)and‘Monraz’(Razzleberri). selections withredorpinkblooms suchas are usuallywhite,butthereseveral species’ flowers,withtheirstraplikepetals, feet tallandeighttoninewide.The China, Japan,andIndiagrowssixto10 winter. Thisroundedshrubisnativeto The sweet-scentedflowersof boo drangea quercifolia), drangea scarce. Hollies other wildlifewhenfoodbecomes shrubs alsohelpssustainbirdsand garden. Thefruitofmanythese add dramaandsparkletothewinter beautiful pods,fruits,andberriesthat shrubs bearinterestingorjustplain that hasbrightyellowstems. witzia amabilis). witzia tivar ofred-osierdogwood coral-red stems,or‘Flaviramea’,acul- alba C. mas), (Cornus foliating barkincludeninebark and leaveshavefallen.Shrubswithex- vantage whentheirflowershavefaded season displaytheirbarktobestad- for theirbloomsduringthegrowing Many shrubsthataregrownprimarily BERRIES BEAUTIFUL BARKAND snowberry of Tatariandogwood( the scarlettingesofwhiplikestems fatsia fruiting shrubs. toneaster areamongthebestwinter- several speciesofviburnumandco- carpus er shrubswithcolorfulbarksuchasthe really spectacularwhenmixedwithoth- color isstrikingonalonespecimenbut And it’samazingjusthowmany For vibrantbarkcolor,nothingbeats (Nandina domestica), (Nandina (Fatsia japonica), (Fatsia spp.), oakleafhydrangea cultivar ‘Sibirica’,whichhas (Zones 7–9,9–7)openinlate November /December2007 (Symphoricarpos and beautybush (Ilex Cornus alba). Cornus Cornelian cherry spp.), Japanese heavenly bam- (C. sericea sericea (C. pyracantha, Loropetalum spp.), and (Physo- (Kolk- (Hy- The 23 ) 24 well-drained soilwithlotsoforganicmatter. spring. Growitinapartlyshadedlocationmoist,acidic, clusters attheendsofitsbranchesinlatewinterandearly and bearsrose-purpleoroccasionallywhiteflowersin mucronulatum, The deciduousKoreanrhododendron the American Gardener (Daphne odora, (Daphne flowers andattractivefoliage.Winterdaphne evergreen anddeciduousshrubswithlovely The daphnesrepresentsome50speciesof fertile soilinsun orlightshade. that needsgood drainageinamoderately nearly whiteflowers.It’saslow-growing shrub purple budsopentorevealdeeply fragrant, leaves edgedwithgold.Inlatewinter therosy ‘Aureomarginata’ (right)with its evergreen even withoutblossoms,particularly thevariety three tofourfeettall,isawintergardenstar Zones 5–8,8–5)growsfourtoeightfeettall Zones 7–9,9–7),whichgrows (Rhododendron Emerging inlatewinterorearlyspring,theyellowflowersof praecox Japan andtheHimalayas,growsfourto10feettallwithasimilarspread. racemes thatlooklikechainsofbeads.Thisdeciduousshrub,nativeto (Zones 7–9,9–7)areborneinfour-to12-inch-longpendulous Stachyurus

TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON. TOP RIGHT: SAXON HOLT MORE WINTER-BLOOMING SHRUBS

Name Height/Spread Flower Color/Season Remarks USDA Hardiness, (feet) AHS Heat Zones Azara microphylla 12–18/8–12 Greenish yellow/late Evergreen, small tree or large 8–10, 12–10 Boxleaf azara winter to early spring shrub Camellia japonica 7–12/5–10 Red, pink,white, yellow, Evergreen, many cultivars 7–9, 9–7 Japanese camellia lavender/winter to spring C. sasanqua 6–10/5–7 White, pink, red/ Evergreen 7–9, 9–7 Sasanqua camellia fall to early winter Chaenomeles speciosa 8/15 Pink, scarlet, white/ Deciduous 5–9, 9–1 Flowering quince late winter to early spring Chimonanthus praecox 12/10 Yellow/mid- to late winter Deciduous, fragrant flowers 7–9, 9–7 Wintersweet Cornus mas 15/15 Yellow/late winter Deciduous, edible fruit 5–8, 8–5 Cornelian cherry Daphne mezereum 4/3 Pink, purple/late winter Deciduous, very fragrant flowers 5–8, 8–5 February daphne Erica carnea under 1/1–2 Pink, purple/early to Evergreen, low growing and 5–7, 7–5 Winter heath late winter spreading, many cultivars Hamamelis ✕intermedia 12/12 Yellow, red, orange/early Deciduous, fragrant flowers, 5–9, 9–1 Witch hazel to mid-winter many cultivars Lonicera fragrantissima* 6–8/6–10 White/mid-winter Deciduous, red berries follow 4–8, 8–3 Winter honeysuckle slightly fragrant flowers Mahonia japonica ‘Bealei’ 8/10 Yellow/late winter to Evergreen, blue-green foliage, 7–8, 8–7 Leatherleaf mahonia early spring blue-purple fruit Viburnum farreri 6–9/5–7 White to light pink/ Deciduous, fragrant flowers 6–8, 8–6 Fragrant viburnum mid- to late winter V. tinus 10/10 White/mid- to late Evergreen, blooms over long 8–10, 10–8 Laurustinus winter period

*Reportedly has escaped to natural areas in parts of the Southeast and mid-Atlantic

Most camellias lack fragrance but make up for this with their incredibly beautiful flowers and evergreen foliage. Provide these shrubs with an acidic soil, and, in marginally cold climates, place them where they will be protected from bitter winter winds. Originally from Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, camellias have been the subject of numerous breeding programs and are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, and blossom shapes. Depending on the selection, they bloom from late fall until early spring. Most are suitable for Zones 7 to 8, 8 to 7, but in recent years, a number of hardier selections have been introduced, such as ‘Winter Beauty’ (left), which is hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9. KAREN BUSSOLINI

November / December 2007 25 26 making itperfect fortheedgeofawall. inches highandtwotothreefeet wide, February andMarch.Itgrows12 to18 fragrant whiteflowersthatbloom in foliage andinconspicuousbut highly stature withlustrous,dark green 6–9, 9–6),amarvelousplantofsmall The sweetboxes is thedwarfsarcococca fruits. Myfavoriteforthewinterborder attractive foliageandredorblack winter-flowering beautieswith Himalayas. Theyareautumn-and shrubs nativetowesternChinaandthe include some14speciesofevergreen syn. come intobloomastheflowersof The buttercupwinterhazel with organicmatter.Twolarger-growingspecies, and earlyspring.Plantitinpartshadeacidic,well-drainedsoilsupplemented bears smalldanglingclustersoffragrant,paleyellowflowersinlatewinter stemmed, deciduousshrubthatgrowsfivefeettallandeightwide S. hookeriana S. the American Gardener (Sarcococca var. humilis, (S. humilis, (S. (Corylopsis pauciflora, (Corylopsis Zones spp.) C. pauciflora C. begin tofade. Zones 6–9,9–6)isamulti- C. spicata spicata C. and C. sinensis, C. www.forestfarm.com. www.forestfarm.com. Forestfarm, Sources Simone. BallPublishing,Batavia,Illinois,2005. Wonders oftheWinterLandscape Timber Press,Portland,Oregon,2005. Winter-Flowering Shrubs Pennsylvania, 1997. lichamp. StackpoleBooks,Mechanicsburg, Southeast The WinterGarden:PlanningandPlantingforthe dale, Inc.,NewYork,2007. The GardeninWinter Resources www.woodlanders.net. www.waysidegardens.com. Wayside Gardens, Online andfreeprintcatalog. WI. (800)553-3715. Klehm’s SongSparrowFarm&Nursery, catalog. www.greergardens.com. Greer Gardens, Woodlanders, Inc., free online. by PeterLoewerandLarryMel- Williams, OR.(541)846-7269. Eugene, OR.(800)548-0111. Hodges, SC.(800)845-1124. Aiken, SC.(803)648-7522. by SuzanneF.Bales.Ro- Catalog $5;freeonline. www.songsparrow.com. Online catalog. by MichaelW.Buffin. Online andfreeprint Catalog $5; by VincentA. Avalon,

TOP: CAROLE OTTESEN / AHS ARCHIVES. BOTTOM: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON TOP: SUSAN A. ROTH. BOTTOM (2) MICHAEL S. THOMPSON ‘James Roof’,which hasextremelylongcatkins. greenish catkins, followedbypurplefruits.My favoriteformis six- to12-inchpaleyellowcatkins whilethefemalesbearshorter wide. Inearlywinter,themale plants producebeautifuldangling southern OregonandCalifornia. Itgrowsto12feettallandequally High onmylistofwinterbloomers isthecoastsilktassel elliptica, Zones 8–11,12–8),nativeto coastalmountainsof (Garrya barberry family.Oneparticularlynotableselectionis Oregon grapes neglected mahonias willstimulateaburstofnew growth. organic matter. Pruningtheoldestbranches onovergrownor States, andplantinsoilofmoderate fertilitysupplementedwith purple fruit.Providepartshade, especiallyinthesouthernUnited clusters oflemon-yellowflowers inearlywinterfollowedbyblue- green leaflets.Itgrowssixto10 feettallandproduceslarge,erect ‘Arthur Menzies’(Zones8–9,9–8), anevergreenwithspinyblue- (Mahonia spp.) arenotgrapesatallbutmembersofthe distichum, enjoyment indoors. easily forcedintobloomfor Branches cutinlatewintercanbe escapes thespotlightoffame. gardens since1924butstill Korea, it’sbeeninAmerican the barestems.Anativeofcentral fermenting honeyburstforthon four-petaled flowersthatsmellof early spring,hundredsofwhite, flowers. Butinlatewinterorvery spring andsummerperennial provides averdantbackgroundfor white forsythia During thegrowingseason, November /December2007 Zones 5–9,9–1) Mahonia Mahonia (Abeliophyllum ✕ media 27 28 the minum sambac) scent ofgenuineArabianjasmine there’s nothingthatcompares tothefresh dles untilyou’re blueintheface,but omizer allyou want,you canburncan- space. You around withanat- canrun their signature toyour living perfume F that havesweetlyscentedflowersoraromaticfoliage. Nourish yoursoulandperfumeindoorlivingspacebygrowingatleastoneoftheseplants the American Gardener Pelargonium Pelargonium Pelargonium Pelargonium RAGRANT FLOWERS house can perform: Theylend house canperform: function thatnothingelseinthe Fragrant Indoors ‘Maid ofOrleans’ infus- ‘Lady Mary’ ‘Lady Mary’ serve a serve (Jas- aromatic flower istactfullytinted.Who goal istoattractpollinators,your average discretion, wardrobe-wise. Because their ed flowers are theembodimentof ement. Asfarassophisticationgoes,scent- reasons we garden indoors. can experience.Andit’s oneoftheprime gardeners, plustheirfriendsandfamilies, ing theair. It’s anaroma thatonlyindoor Of course,you can’t forgetthevisualel- going battletofoilpotentialnibblers. fragrance beingoneweapon intheiron- againstthefoliage—the orbrush you rub generally onlyrelease theiressentialoilif tend tobediplomatic.Andscentedleaves the air, exceptions withafew thatI’ll note, flowers thatdothrow into theirperfume your nosetothepetals.Thosefragrant flower’s scentisonly perceived ifyou apply of surround sound.Most often,afragrant equivalentavoid producing the olfactory discreet abouttheirwardrobe, mostalso an exception. deeds ofbreeders. Orchids alsotendtobe species here; noonecanaccountforthe rare. LetmebeclearthatI’m onlytalking whisper pinktrailingbehind.Orange is ner upwouldbeyellow, withblueand scented setofthefloralkingdom.Arun- tends tobethecolorofchoicefor scent asyour siren call?Whiteorcream needs abrazen outfitwhenyou’ve got living thingunder your roof, right? plant prefers. But you’d doas muchforany vide thelightpreferences your fragrant growing season.Andbeprepared topro- You duringtheplant’s should fertilize prone toinfestationsofalldescriptions. ing needs—awiltedplantisstressed and much.” You needtobeattunedwater- accused of“asking solittle,butgiving of fact,myscented-leaved geraniumsstand holy nuisancesofthemselves. Asamatter little sensitivitydoesn’t hurt. glowing green thumbisn’t requisite, buta west-facing window. And,inmostcases,a ble given nothing brighterthananeast-or lets, camellias,andprimroses are allpossi- the dealbreaker. Hoyas, osmanthus,vio- for mostfragranthouseplants,butit’s not A sunnywindow thecause might further THE INDOORENVIRONMENT Just asfragrantindoorplantstendtobe I generallyavoid houseplantsthatmake BY TOVAHMARTIN

JOSEPH G. STRAUCH, JR. the foliage showers down—blossom pro- duction isn’t crimped. Your nose is going to be delighted, I guarantee. CITRUS Since winter is when houseplants furnish a lifeline for most gardeners, keeping us from slipping over the edge with cabin fever, winter-blooming plants are natural- ly closer companions than fair weather friends. With fragrance, this tendency is intensified, so it’s no wonder citrus is a popular houseplant. When the sun is shin- ing, the scent of citrus infuses the house. It’s an aroma that most folks find very ap- pealing, which explains why makers of products from laundry detergents to sham- poos try to replicate the perfume. No doubt about it, most citrus send out a lusty scent. If you prefer something almost imperceptible, citrus might not be your plant. But they are reliable bloomers, they’re readily available, and they can remain windowsill-sized in stature. Both lemons (especially the ‘Meyer’ lemon) and oranges are compact and floriferous, but should be pruned to keep them within bounds. A sunny window is a good starting OsmanthusOsmanthus fragransfragrans point for hosting citrus. They also like cool, but not chilly temperatures. Any- thing below 50 degrees Fahrenheit over the long haul will inhibit nutrient absorption. THE PLAYERS describe—comparing it to honeyed apri- Fragrance is an opinionated affair. Just as cots doesn’t quite do it justice, but it comes I happen to like Mediterranean food close. Regardless, I’ve never met anyone while you go for Mexican, fragrance is who didn’t love the perfume. And all that equally subject to personal taste. So, sugary goodness comes from the tiniest, without apologies, the following list is most unobtrusive flowers in existence. Ba- based on my olfactory preferences. That sically, you’ve got to put on your eyeglass- said, my nose is probably the only con- es and study the plant closely to discern servative part of my being. Given the fact when it’s in bloom. Or you can just take a that we’re talking about coexisting in deep breath. close quarters, the fragrant plants that Although it’s an aromatic crowd pleas- I’ve chosen are subtle affairs. I’ve also put er, Osmanthus fragrans is not one of the my emphasis on plants that are relative- most rewarding houseplants to host. At ly easy to accommodate in the average best, the woody stems are sparsely clothed home. (For additional fragrant indoor in brittle, camellialike leaves. And if you plant selections, see the chart on page 32.) don’t water religiously, you’re bound to ex- perience a shower of dropped foliage. OSMANTHUS FRAGRANS Light isn’t really a limiting factor, it will Although sweet olive (Osmanthus fragrans) grow in a variety of windows ranging from is undeniably an ugly duckling as far as south to east or west. It is not a heavy feed- physical charms are concerned, it makes er, so diluting fertilizer beyond the regular amends aromatically. There is no fragrance recommendations is wise—I cut it by half. Citrus myrtifolia that equals the scent of sweet olive. It’s Low humidity indoors can also cause a

TOP: JOSEPH G. STRAUCH, JR. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF LOGEE’S light, it fills the room, and it’s difficult to strip show. But, no matter what—even if

November / December 2007 29 30 sorts sorts gly withoutdiscipline.There are vining andcan become scrag- efit from pruning that’s whatyou’ve got handy. Theyben- window, althoughtheywon’t protest if mine, whichsmellsmore likeIvory soap. then you might wanttogoforroyal jas- isafan.Ifeveryone muskyisn’t foryou, scents onacomparatively loudlevel. Not and day. Jasmines tendtohave deep, rich nitidum), ‘Maid ofOrleans’, androyal jasmine mine reel ofmyfavorites: offafew winterjas- itallouthere, tosort I’ll just than trying are incultivation ashouseplants.Rather bonafidemembersofthefamily a few mon nameisaffixed liberally. Plus, quite aspire tobeingjasminelikethatthecom- the problem beingthatsomanyplants Confusion isrifeconcerningjasmines, JASMINE please several sensessooner. Betteryou gowithcuttings,to wantfruit. don’t botherplantingpips,especiallyif involved inalongtermresearch project, And, unlessyou’re exceptionally patientor up asleafspottinganddiscoloration. by mottledfoliage;insufficientzincshows iron, andzinc.Iron deficiencyissignaled containingphosphorus, anced fertilizer thrive onregularCitrus dosesofabal- hungry plants and willblossomallyear hungry sambac Jasminum sambac sambac Jasminum Jasminum sambac sambac Jasminum As a rule, jasminesdon’tAs arule, needasouth the American Gardener (J. polyanthum) (J. (Jasminum polyanthum), and which isfragrantbothnight J. nitidum). ‘Maid ofOrleans’ ‘Maid ofOrleans’ and bushtypes(J. They tendtobe J. sambac (J. discreet incolor, buttinyworks ofart. stars withinstars,theumbelsofahoya are delights onseveral levels. Best described as requisite degree isboundtoenjoy sensual to scorch inabright,sunnywindow. They’re alsoadverse tosunandare likely print, butthat’s thewaytheylikeit. so massive initiatingfrom atinyfoot- tion becausethewindingvinesbecome tions. Theyalwaysseemoutofpropor- Hoyas prefer crampedroot accommoda- waxflowers, willdobetterifyou backoff. here, buthoyas, sometimescalled I’ve beentalkingsensitivityrightandleft HOYA blooming to beattheband,except thewinter- Hoya lanceolata ssp. bella ssp. lanceolata Hoya Hoya lanceolata ssp. bella ssp. lanceolata Hoya Anyone who ignores theirhoya tothe Viola odorata Viola Viola odorata Viola J. polyanthum. vata more likefresh croissants, whileH.obo- your grandmotherprobably grew—smell the hoyablooms ofH.carnosa— that bella fectly capable of ruining adiet. fectly capableofruining with adashofcinnamon.But allare per- tory eccentricity.tory again. Only wallflowers share thisolfac- minutes orso. Thenyou candive in distinguish theviolet’s for20 perfume your senseofsmellentirely, butyou can’t headyinhalations. Itfew doesn’t shutoff fatigue anyone’s senseaftera olfactory scent. Not onlythat,butthescentcan nosehastheabilitytodiscern every any candyinyour experience.In fact,not thready, andintenselysugared beyond ing you’ve ever encountered: light, richly scented.Theirscentislikenoth- cover thatfragrantvioletsare, infact, Only inquisitive nostrilsare likelyto dis- ODORATAVIOLA chocolate cakeand to mind.Hoya longifolia som, andhotchocolatemilkwillcome proximity to you intopalpitations.Comenear holics takenote—somehoyas couldsend Then there’s thelittlematteroffind- And thenthere’s thesmell.Choco- is limeandH.lacunosa is adeadringerforhotmocha.The H. pubera H. lanceolata when it’s inblos- is reminiscent of is carnation ssp.

COURTESY OF LOGEE’S (3) Resources The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual by Barbara Pleasant. Storey Publishing, North Adams, Massa- chusetts, 2005.

The Essence of Paradise: Fragrant Plants for Indoor Gardens by Tovah Martin and Ippy Patterson. Little, Brown, & Co., New York, 1991.

The New Houseplant: Bringing the Garden Indoors by Elvin McDonald. Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, 1993.

Tempting Tropicals by Ellen Zachos. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2005. Primula auricula ‘Viennese‘Viennese Waltz’Waltz’ Sources ing the flowers; they tend to be buried roses are another matter entirely. These Big Dipper Farm, Black Diamond, within a mound of heart-shaped leaves. little alpine beauties have gray, powdered WA. (360) 886-8133. www.big The foliage is handsome enough, but it leaves in rosettes and—nestled in that fo- dipperfarm.com. Catalog online. holds no rewards whatsoever for your liage—some of the most intriguing and nose. Which brings us to another wrin- colorful flowers in the floral kingdom. Canyon Creek Nursery, Oroville, CA. kle—most modern hybrids of Viola odor- Primula auricula is the purple cow in the (530) 533-2166. www.canyon ata are an olfactory disappointment. fragrant plant arena. creeknursery.com. Catalog online. When the florist industry strove to rem- As long as they’re kept watered (but not edy the snag of short flower stems—to soggy—it’s a delicate balance), sheltered Colvos Creek Nursery, Vashon Island, make the violets easier to bunch into from direct sun (but not too dark), and on WA. (206) 463-3655. www.colvos nosegays—the scent was bred out of a lean diet, auricula primroses cheerfully creeknursery.com. Catalog online. them. Fortunately, the trend has swung go about their business. Even without back in favor of nostrils and several fra- flowers, they’re perfectly charming. Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) grant violets have been reintroduced, But the blossoms are a big thrill, espe- 846-7269. www.forestfarm.com. most notably Viola odorata Rosea Group cially for olfactory aficionados. Snuggled Catalog $5; free online. and the double Parma violets such as in the foliage, they produce small bunch- ‘Marie-Louise’ and ‘Duchesse de Parme’. es of silvery buds. And, when they open, Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. (541) Growing violets indoors can be per- they might be just about any color—or 686-8266. (800) 548-0111. plexing if you keep your home toasty. The combination of colors—imaginable rang- www.greergardens.com. buds just don’t set in hot, dry conditions. ing from silver to grey, copper, parrot Online and free print catalog. And a sunny window is totally wasted on green, burgundy, and nearly black. Bands fragrant violets. Ideally, they prefer cool of color are typical, and the center is gen- Logee’s Greenhouses, Danielson, CT. nighttime temperatures (in the 50s), an erally dusted with a white powder. If you (888) 330-8038. www.logees.com. eastern or western exposure, and plenty of apply your nose, you’ll discover a thready, Catalog online. moisture. But if you can meet their needs, anise-touched scent that comes and goes the reward is the experience of a lifetime. depending on light. It’s not the strongest Thompson & Morgan, Jackson, NJ. aroma in the stable, but it’s a conversation (800) 274-7333. PRIMULA AURICULA piece, for sure. www.tmseeds.com. Online and free Granted, I’m partial to odd fellows, and print catalog. plants are no exception. Show me an or- MELIANTHUS MAJOR dinary supermarket primrose, and I’ll fall Flowers are not the only fragrant part of a

COURTESY OF THOMPSON & MORGAN asleep immediately. But auricula prim- plant’s anatomy; the leaves can also hold

November / December 2007 31 32 MORE FRAGRANTINDOORPLANTS Name Murraya paniculata Murraya axillare Mitriostigma figo Michelia japonica Fortunella australis Brunfelsia longiflora Bouvardia odorata Aglaia Trachelospermum jasminoides jasminoides Trachelospermum (Banana shrub) tolavender,thenwhite evenlymoistsoil,cutbackafterflowering (Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow) (Chinese riceflower) (Orange jasmine) (African gardenia) (Kumquat) (Confederate jasmine) the American Gardener Brunfelsia australis Brunfelsia Brunfelsia australis Brunfelsia Mitriostigma axillare Mitriostigma Mitriostigma axillare Mitriostigma Indoor Culture Sunny window,evenlymoistsoil Compactshrubwithwhiteflowers Warm sunnywindow,evenlymoistsoil Bloomsintermittentlythroughoutthe temperatures Easier thantruegardenia,eastorwest Compactandfloriferous,theycan Bright sunnywindow,evenly Fragrantflowersopenpurple,fade Sunny window,cooltemperatures, Sunny window,cooltemperatures, cut backafterflowering nights, evenlymoistsoil, Small,yellow,sweetlyscentedflowers Sunny window,toleratescool Easy; tolerateslowlightandhumidity os ol olngttmeaue flowerswithbananalikescent moist soil,coolnighttemperature window, evenlymoistsoil,warm evenly moistsoil Michelia figo Michelia Michelia figo Michelia Murraya paniculata Murraya Murraya paniculata Murraya Remarks with anorangeblossomscent appear yearround Energetic vinewithpinwheel-shaped clusters andaresweetlyscented Evergreen shrubwithpaleyellow Intensely fragrantatnight,white flowers thatsmellofanise year, single,whiteflowersappearin produce adeliciouscropoffruit appearing throughouttheyear, flowers appearinfallandwinter

COURTESY OF LOGEE’S (4) perks, and the rewards aren’t limited to the pending upon your sense and sensibili- HELIOTROPE span of the blooming season. ties, you can have a field day fragrance- The other exception to my “trouble-free” Scientists surmise that one function of wise. Apple, apricot, chocolate mint, rule is heliotrope (Heliotropium ar- fragrant foliage might be to protect filbert, nutmeg, lemon verbena, and al- borescens). Whatever insects might pester plants from predators. So, by and large, mond scents are all within the reach of your heliotrope—whiteflies, red spider fragrant leaves only produce their scents your nose. mites, and/or aphids—they’re worth when bruised. The essential oil is kept in dealing with for the fragrance. If you’ve delicate flasks on the leaf surface, and the WORTHWHILE CHALLENGES got a bright, sunny, south-facing win- oil escapes into the air when they’re dam- Although I promised you easy, I couldn’t dowsill, by all means, devote it to he- aged. Imagine the shock when an insect resist including a couple of plants that liotrope. Your nose will thank you. or deer moseys over to take a bite out of might take some extra effort to grow in- Given sufficient light, profuse um- honey bush (Melianthus major) and dis- doors but offer such great olfactory re- bels of deep purple blossoms are within covers at first brush that he’s tangling wards that they’re worth it. anyone’s reach. And the scent is like with a peanut butter sandwich. Anybody nothing else you’ve inhaled: a combi- would retreat to recalculate. In a house- CAMELLIAS nation of vanilla, baby powder, and plant, that peanut butter aroma can Camellias aren’t really difficult to grow— mulled spices with a teasing hint of prove disconcerting for whiteflies. if the temperature somewhere in your apple tossed in. The white-flowered Even without scent, this South African home drops to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or forms tend to be more richly aromatic plant is gorgeous with long, segmented, pale buff blue leaves that have serrated edges. Given a bright window, it will co- exist in your home happily. One nursery catalog advises against allowing it to bloom in containers, claiming that the reddish-brown blossoms sap its energy. Mine has never even tried to bloom. SCENTED-LEAVED GERANIUMS The so-called scented-leaved geraniums are the clowns in this crowd, but to avoid confusion with “true” geraniums, it’s im- portant to remember they are members of the genus Pelargonium. Native to southern Africa, and famed for their abil- ity to mimic the scent of just about any fruit, nut, and spice, they are among the easiest and most rewarding ways to in- dulge your senses. They range in size Heliotropium Scentropia™ Silver from the massive, peppermint-scented P. tomentosum to the more compact, and windowsill-worthy coconut-scented P. below when buds are setting. Most of the than those of other colors. In my expe- parviflorum with everything from old fragrant flowering camellias fall in the rience, the scent of some of the seed spice (P. ‘Logeei’) to cinnamon (P. Camellia sasanqua group. strains—‘Marine’ comes to mind—tend limoneum) in between. Some, such as the And camellias are an exception to the to be comparatively diluted. Vegetative- rose-scented ‘Little Gem’, flower pro- modest dress code typical of fragrant ly propagated cuttings of the intensely fusely; others—lemon-scented P. flowers. Their flowers are certainly im- scented old faithful varieties are more crispum, for example—are valued for pressive, prolific, and deliciously fruit- rewarding. their prolific crop of leaves. scented—if you chose a cultivar that has So why deprive yourself of sensory in- Scented-leaved geraniums perform fragrance in its résumé. Sasanquas are dulgence? Although some fragrant house- best on a bright windowsill, preferably also perfectly capable of remaining two plants are more challenging to host than south-facing; they dislike overwatering; to three feet tall in a container, forming others, most of the commonly available and they want a lean diet, both with re- a poetic, woody indoor plant. They don’t scented indoor plants are easily within the spect to fertilizing and repotting. Keep need a very sunny window, east or west is realm of every gardener’s reality.  the foliage dry when watering, or water fine. And they’re thirsty, especially when in the morning of sunny days. Pruning is the buds are forming. Keep the watering Horticulturist, lecturer, and writer Tovah essential to encourage more leaf produc- pot poised and you’ll have a winter full of Martin is a frequent guest on the PBS televi-

COURTESY OF PROVEN WINNERS tion and keep larger ones in scale. De- delights—both for your eyes and nose. sion series, Cultivating Life.

November / December 2007 33 YOU ahorti­ are neatly manicured, and hedges form a den," says Joyce. "But we started land­ Wculturist, art aficionado, con­ maze that hides a surprise at every turn. scaping around the house, and soon the servationist, or nature lover, Spiky agaves nestle beneath tall organ landscaping escaped from the front you'll find much to appreciate at Na pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi) in the yard." Early on, the the couple enlisted 'AinaKai Botanical Gardens, a 240-acre International Desert Garden, while wind the help of local nurseryman Richard wonderland perched high above the Pa­ rustles the fronds of nearby palms. More Beach and began planting ornamental cific on the lush north shore of the Gar­ than 90 sculptures populate 13 separate trees. den Island ofKauai. The name Na 'Aina garden areas, each as integral to the gar­ The individual garden areas, which Kai is Hawaiian for "lands by the sea," den as the plants. mirror Hawaii's many climate zones, but the property was actually a cow pas­ evolved almost serendipitously as the cre­ ture when Joyce and Ed Doty purchased A LABOR OF LOVE ative couple gained hands-on experience the first 30 acres in 1979. They have since Before moving to Hawaii, Joyce and Ed and confidence with their new environ­ created a masterpiece of landscape design lived on a ranch in northern California, ment. "The ideas just seemed to blos­ that sustains a rich blend of plants, ani­ where they raised mules. Ed's back­ som," Joyce says, recalling the inspiration mals, and art in a tropical setting. ground was commercial and residential for a maze in the shape of a flower with a Brilliant red jade vine (Mucuna ben­ building contracting. The couple had stem up the middle. "I began drawing it nettii) cascades down a rock wall at the never done a major landscaping project to scale on a grid," she says, "and Ed laid conference center, a spacious structure and knew nothing about tropical plants it out." They grew 900 mock orange that was originally the Dotys' home. or horticulture. (Murraya paniculata) plants from seed to Japanese koi flash in the lagoon, and a wa­ "When we moved from California, create the hedge and began selecting terfall splashes over giant boulders. Lawns we had no intention of creating a gar- sculptures for each alcove.

34 THE AMERICAN GARDENER A three-quarter acre lagoon, opposite, and sculptures such as ‘Valentine’, above right, exemplify the horticultural and artistic passion of Na ‘Aina Kai’s creators Joyce and Ed Doty, above left.

“What makes the garden special is that When their home was converted into a Mr. and Mrs. Doty are hands-on—they conference center, the Dotys moved to a have developed the gardens themselves,” new house across from the gardens. says André Viette, a Virginia-based nurs- ery owner and daylily breeder. Viette got INFLUENCED BY ART AND TRAVEL to know the Dotys when they participated Joyce and Ed share a love of art, but the in a garden tour he was leading, and he muse runs strongest in Joyce, who relates later visited them at Na ‘Aina Kai. that she has loved to draw since she was a For years, the Dotys shared Na ‘Aina child. She and Ed began collecting bronze Kai mostly with friends and select horti- sculptures once there was no more wall cultural groups, but eventually they de- space in their home for paintings. ‘Valen- cided to open their treasured gardens to tine’—a sculpture of a devoted couple the public. They held their first public seated on a bench—was the first of many, tour in December 2000, and in 2001 Na purchased by Joyce as an anniversary gift ‘Aina Kai became a non-profit to ensure for Ed. Joyce chooses the sculptures one at the gardens will be self-sustaining for a time, and she places each one in its own years to come. setting where it will not compete for at-

Twice, hurricanes destroyed their work, but the Dotys—Depression-era survivors and no strangers to hard work—simply started over. In 1995, they discovered a kin- dred spirit in Marty Fernandes, who has played a key role over the years as Na ‘Aina Kai’s horticulturist. Joyce relies on Fernan- des to locate the best plants to implement her plans. “Marty flips through her men- tal encyclopedia, and she always finds just what I want for my designs,” says Joyce. Fernandes admires the way the Dotys complement one another. “I always tell folks that the garden is woman-designed and manmade because Joyce dreams up the ideas and Ed and the crew make them happen,” she says. Drawing on his experience as a former building contrac- tor, Ed has constructed everything from benches and pergolas to gazebos and a Japanese teahouse. More than 900 mock oranges were used to create the elaborate Poinciana Maze garden.

November / December 2007 35 Na ‘Aina Kai’s lagoon includes features such as a waterfall, left, and an island with a sculpture of ‘Hula Man’. tention with others. Works by nationally is 14 feet deep and holds 1.6 million gal- childrens’ garden. Here, 16-foot-tall ‘Jack known artists such as George Lundeen, lons of water circulating continually and the Beanstalk’ towers over a wading Gary Price, Rosalind Cook, and Kent Ull- through commercial sand filters. A dra- pool and fountain surrounded by a mosa- berg—more than 48 sculptors in all— matic waterfall plunges over rocks into a ic tiled story-in-picture wall. Plenty of sur- comprise one of the largest private pool and a graceful footbridge leads to an prises await children as they wander sculpture collections in the United States. island where ‘Hula Man’ dances. through the gecko maze, climb into the Another important influence on the Joyce designed the International rubbertree treehouse, and play in a tropi- Dotys’ garden style has come from touring Desert Garden to resemble a Southwest cal jungle gym with bridges, tunnels, and gardens around the world—including dry wash but added desert plants from all slides. Nearby is an intriguing bog garden many on American Horticultural Society over the world. The surprising juxtaposi- where carnivorous species such as butter- (AHS) sponsored travel programs. “We tion of an arid desert featuring giant worts and pitcher plants thrive. have pretty much toured the world with saguaro cactus, African baobab trees, and the AHS, including trips to gardens in agaves with the lush, tropical palm garden Alaska, South Africa, New Zealand, Aus- that adjoins it is fascinating. tralia, and South America,” says Joyce. In the Wild Forest Garden, a stairway Based on what she has learned from visit- crafted by Hawaiian artisans to resemble ing gardens designed by some of the lava rock terraces spirals down the steep world’s best known landscape architects, hillside to Kaluakai Beach. Beneath the Joyce concluded that any garden worth its rainforest canopy, visitors stroll among salt needed three elements: water features, ferns, bamboos, gingers, heliconias, vanil- large boulders to set off planting areas, and la vines, cacao trees, and bananas. placement of hidden surprises. The beach itself is a secluded haven, a Both artistic sensibilities and accu- pristine expanse of white sand and marsh mulated experience come into play when protected on either side by large boulders. Joyce is envisioning new gardens. For in- Laysan albatrosses raise their young be- stance, when she got the idea for a three- neath ironwood trees on a cliff above, and quarter-acre lagoon, Joyce began using native nene geese stroll onto the expansive clay models so she could play with the lawn that has become a popular site for height and placement of the mounds weddings and other celebrations. until she was satisfied with the propor- Families are in for a treat when they Entering under the rainbow, visitors of all tions and the overall design. The lagoon venture “Under the Rainbow” into the ages enjoy the children's garden.

36 the American Gardener TROPICAL FAVORITES Here are some of Joyce and Ed Doty and Marty Fernandes’s favorite plants growing at Na ‘Aina Kai. These plants are suited to tropical or subtropical gardens where temperatures never dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Botanical/Common Name Type of Height/Width Comments Origin Plant (feet) Artocarpus heterophyllus Tree 30–70/20–50 Evergreen tree notable for huge edible Southeast Asia (Jack fruit) fruits that hang off trunk and branches Bismarckia nobilis Tree 20–30/10–20 Rapid growing palm with striking Madagascar (Bismarck palm) blue-green fronds; grows best in open, sunny sites with good drainage Codiaeum variegatum Shrubby 3–6/2–5 Colorful evergreen foliage; drought- Malaysia var. pictum (Croton) perennial and disease-tolerant Harpullia zanguebarica Small tree 20–40/20–30 Evergreen with dangling clusters of yellow/ Africa (Velvet seed tree) green flowers followed by orange seedpods Mucuna bennettii Woody vine 30–60 Twining vine (liana) featuring dangling New Guinea (Red jade vine, clusters of vivid scarlet flowers New Guinea creeper) Samanea saman Tree 40–70/50–70 Spreading canopy, pomponlike pink Tropical America syn. Albizia saman flowers, black seed pods (Monkeypod tree) Strongylodon macrobotrys Woody vine 30–70 Evergreen with dangling clusters of Philippines (Blue jade vine) blue flowers; needs sturdy support Syzygium malaccense Tree 30–50/20–40 Evergreen with rosy powderpuff Southeast Asia, (Malay apple) flowers and yellow to purple edible fruit Australia Zingiber spectabile Herbaceous 6–12/2–6 Clumping plant with spiky leaves and Malaysia (Beehive ginger) perennial sculptural yellow flowers on spikes in summer

Artocarpus heterophyllus Mucuna bennettii Samanea saman

Na ‘Aina Kai’s newest garden is a minia- ohe (Munroidendron racemosum)—both ture ahupua’a that replicates the tradition- endangered species—and “canoe plants” al Hawaiian land division system that such as taro (Alocasia sp.) and ti plant Visiting Na ‘Aina Kai extended in narrow sections from hilltop (Cordyline fruticosa) that were brought to Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens is lo- to ocean. The staff at Na ‘Aina Kai created Hawaii by early explorers from Southeast cated in Kilauea, Hawaii, and partici- a mountain waterfall that forms a stream Asia. Each year, Kauai’s fourth graders re- pates in the American Horticultural flowing past huts with thatched roofs, taro ceive special tours of the ahupua’a as part Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Pro- patches and sweet potato fields into the of their study of Hawaiian history. gram, so AHS members are eligible for ocean. Bronze sculptures of 14 nearly life- A hardwood plantation of 60,000 free admission for the primary garden size inhabitants weave mats, mend nets, trees—as meticulously managed as the gar- tour (presentation of a valid AHS build canoes, fish, hunt, and garden. A dens—adds an interesting dimension to membership card is required). mosaic wall at the entrance depicts life in Na ‘Aina Kai’s tours. Fifty-foot teak trees For more information about Na an ahupua’a, and plants include a combi- (Tectona grandis) in orderly rows are the ‘Aina Kai, call (808) 828-0525 or nation of native Hawaiian species such as largest component of the 27 different visit www.naainakai.org.

LEFT AND RIGHT COURTESY OF FOREST KIM STARR uhiuhi (Caesalpinia kavaiensis) and false species of tropical hardwoods in the 110-

November / December 2007 37 Resources Growing Hawaii’s Native Plants by Kerin Lilleeng-Rosenberger. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2005.

Plants for Tropical Landscapes: A Gar- dener’s Guide by Fred D. Rauch and Paul R. Weissich. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2000.

Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation by Kirsten Albrecht Llamas. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2003.

A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Culti- vated in the Hawaiian Islands and Oth- er Tropical Places by Staples and Herbst. Bishop Museum Press, Hon- olulu, Hawaii, 2005.

large—one-and-a-half miles from ocean to highway—that one of the tours lasts five hours. “And even that isn’t long enough,” says Fernandes, who leads tours along with the Dotys and 30 garden volunteers. “It is clear from the moment you enter that Na ‘Aina Kai is a product of passion by the Dotys and Marty Fernandes,” says Paul Redman, director of Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. “The creativity of the de- sign, attention to detail, and beauty of the plants and sculptures create a multi-faceted experience for all to enjoy. One of the most unique aspects of Na ‘Aina Kai is the Dotys’ vision for its long-term sustainabil- ity. They are preserving an important part of the Hawaiian Islands.” Cacti and succulents thrive in the International Desert Garden, top, while native Hawaiian Indeed, one of the Dotys’ goals is to plants and food crops grow in the ahupua'a, above. preserve the land and natural resources of Na ‘Aina Kai while providing educational acre plantation. Other species include big- Amusement Garden, meant to be “just for and research opportunities in tropical hor- leaf mahogany, preferred for violin bows, fun,” is already under construction and ticulture and forestry. “It’s a great joy to zebra wood, Indian rosewood and co- will include unusual plants such as dragon share the gardens,” says Joyce. “It gives us cobolo used for woodwind instruments. fruit, ice cream bean tree, peanut butter the kind of satisfaction that an artist must When Joyce and Fernandes began growing fruit, pickle tree, and scrambled egg tree. feel when someone sees his painting or a these trees from seed in 1996, the process composer when he hears his symphony was trial and error because no one had ever PARADISE PRESERVED played. I hope the gardens will continue to grown these species on this scale in Hawaii. More than 8,000 people toured Na ‘Aina offer people all over the world new experi- The plantation is intended to help support Kai in 2006, and many visitors return time ences as the years go by.”  the garden in the future; the first trees after time. The Dotys believe garden tours should be ready to harvest in 25 to 30 years. should be limited to a small number of A free-lance writer based near Bovey, Min- Joyce stresses that Na ‘Aina Kai is still a people to be effective, so Na ‘Aina Kai carts nesota, Margaret Haapoja writes frequently work in progress. Her latest project, the only hold eight people. The landscape is so on Hawaiian gardens, nature, and travel..

38 the American Gardener high-bred

well-fed

loving-care

distinctively better ® plants!

Monrovia®...expert growers of the healthiest, hardiest, most beautiful plants. Raised in our exclusively formulated, nutrient-rich organic soil, Monrovia plants are guaranteed to make your garden thrive! Our premium plants are the strongest in the industry and with more than 2,200 varieties – from low maintenance to high fashion – we have something for every garden style.

To discover your personal garden style visit w w w . m o n r o v i a . c o m

Available at fine garden centers nationwide. 2006 ©Monrovia ©Monrovia 40 by MaryYee aeWiigr BuildingaWeb-Based Gardening Community Dave Whitinger: portance ofgardeningportance inhislifeandhow websites suchasDGhave brought aworldofgardeners together. a sistersitetoDG,whichproduces it.) ular gardening resources. (Gardens.com, awebsite focusingoninformationspecifictoauser’s region, is founded Dave’s Garden asapersonalproject. Since thattime,ithasbecomeoneoftheweb’s mostpop- Linuxcomputeroperatingsystem.Afterleavingthefast-pacedandlucrativethen-new techworld, he den, you cansetupyour own onlinegardening diary, findsources foracoveted plantorotherpeoplewith Launched in2000,itwasoneoftheearliestinteractive gardening websites on theInternet. At Dave’s Gar- A time, Inever intendedthe website tobe keep trackofmy seedinventory. At the time, Icreated Dave’s Garden tohelpme Today in1999andfoundmyselfwithfree all over theworld,sowhenIsoldLinux I didn’t garden. Itradedseedswithpeople so there wasnever apointinmylifewhen dened, andmygrandparents were farmers, Dave Whitinger: together? How didyou endupbringingthetwo gardening seemtobeworldsapart. Yee:Mary Mary Yee,Mary director managingeditorandart of the American Gardener NY GARDENERWHOHAS miliar withawebsite calledDave’s Garden The high-tech industry and The high-techindustry Both ofmyparents gar- ever informationwillprobably searched befa- online forhorticultural community. Our slogan is“For Garden- capabilities to the worldwidegardening cess toinformationandcommunications It’s asitethatprovides free andopenac- den tothosenotintheknow? How wouldyou describeDave’s Gar- useful, soitgrew from there. could beaddedtothesitemakeitmore gave meideas aboutotherfeatures that out Iwasasoftware developer, theyalso found it,andwhensomeofthem used by anyone else.But otherpeople N NOEWITH ONE ON ONE C The American Gardener, (www.davesgarden.com)—or simplyDGtoitsmanyfans. website that provided up-to-the-minutereports on the self inthelate1990sby foundingLinuxToday, a gramming whiz,Whitingerfirstmadeanameforhim- gardener wholivesTexas. inBryan, Aself-taughtpro- a formercomputersoftware developer andavidhome Dave behindthescenes—31-year-old Dave Whitinger, million gardeners know amonth,few there isa real dreds ofmailorder plantandseedcompanies. to share theirexperiences—goodandbad—withhun- ful features isGarden Watchdog, aplaceforcustomers exchange storiesandinformation.One ofitsmostuse- where inforums gardenerscal name,andparticipate can whom totradeseeds,gethelpinpronouncing abotani- Although Dave’s Garden abouta reportedly serves … talked toWhitingerabouttheim- build PlantFiles, ourplants database. than 23,000members collaboratedto den centers,parks, arboreta, etc.More gardening mailorder companies,localgar- tion. We have wholedatabasesdevoted to and more thanamillionpagesofinforma- tributed more thanhalfamillionphotos information website. Members have con- build anextensive andcompletegardening dening community, we’ve been ableto is determinedby thismantra. ers, By Gardeners,” action andourevery By tappingintotheinternational gar-

COURTESY OF DAVE’S GARDEN What was the Internet like when you Dave Whitinger’s garden includes many created Dave’s Garden? tropical plants such as Canna musifolia. It was a boom time for the dot-com in- dustry; Internet-based companies of You grow all sorts of plants in your every type were making fortunes. By home garden, but vegetables are espe- mid-2000, though, the dot-com boom cially important to you. Why is that? had busted, and the profiteers in that They’re important to me from a conserva- line of business were moving on to other tion point of view. I currently have a veg- projects, leaving the web to return to etable garden that’s about a fifth of an acre what it was originally supposed to be: a and I plan to expand it dramatically. With place where people served each other the increasing practice of vegetable mono- with useful tools and information. It culture (everyone growing identical vari- was a great time to start DG because a eties) and use of hybrids and genetically lot of gardening sites had collapsed and modified foods being controlled by a small there was a real opportunity to serve this group of companies, it’s critical that we community. gardeners preserve open-pollinated vegeta- bles and support farmers who do the same. How has DG grown as a business? I grow many open-pollinated vegetables DG was acquired earlier this year by from seeds that I save each year. NameMedia, a Boston-area communi- cations company, so now we’re part of a What does the success of DG say about large team of people, and together we’ve When reading personal websites, you the role gardening plays in our lives? been moving DG ahead at an unimag- have to be aware that there is no oversight Gardening is a creative outlet for millions inable pace. As NameMedia’s vice presi- on what you are reading. At a peer-re- of people, and it will continue to be a pop- dent of communities, I’m still based in viewed website like DG, however, there is ular hobby. As technology becomes more Texas. a good chance that what you are seeing is pervasive in our lives, we yearn for ways to DG exists because of the efforts of a lot accurate because we make it easy for ex- reconnect with the natural world, and gar- of individuals. We have administrators perts to come along and fix errors that may dening is a great way to do this. and writers from all over the world who have gotten into our databases. We all want to be a part of something help with the site. All told, around 100 larger than ourselves, and thanks to the people are directly involved with manag- Your website seems to be the ultimate web, many gardening communities are ing DG in some capacity. in plant information. Do you consid- forming because gardeners now have a er yourself a gardening expert? tool to find each other as never before. With so much gardening and plant in- Not at all, but I do consider myself an ex- formation on the web, could you offer pert at bringing smart people together You must spend a lot of time in front any cautionary advice for gardeners? and giving them the tools they need to of the computer. How often do you get The nice thing about the web is that any- work together. I believe that when thou- to meet your cyber connections? one can publish anything. However, sands of people work together, you can Being a family man, I limit the amount of that’s also its downside. There is a lot of create something phenomenal. This is traveling that I do, but I get out quite a bit. bad information out there. the power of the web. DG community members have get-to- gethers all over the world, and I’ve attend- ed many of them. And when I speak at gardening events across the country, I have an opportunity to meet and talk to thou- sands of gardeners from every walk of life.

Do you foresee ever going back to the computer software industry? After more than seven years working full- time in the gardening industry, I can say with confidence that this is my career path. I love working with people who are enthu- siastic about gardening, and at this point, I can’t imagine doing anything else. 

‘Black Cooter’ watermelon, above left, and Tennessee sweet potato squash, above right, are Mary Yee is the managing editor and art

COURTESY OF DAVE’S GARDEN (3) among the heirloom vegetables Dave Whitinger grows from saved seeds each year. director of The American Gardener.

November / December 2007 41 GREENC GARAGE®

Cool Tools and Practical Products by Rita Pelczar

ARDENING IS a continuous learning experience. New varieties of plants that better suit your site Gand modified strategies that enhance plant performance are worth incorporating into your gar- dening routine. Products that deliver better or more efficient results, or that provide protection while you are working are always welcome discoveries, and with that in mind, I’d like to share a few that I have found exceptionally effective over the past year.

OUTFOXING POISON IVY COMPOST AIDS it out, they flare to create air passages. This Where I garden, poison ivy lurks. This is Having a compost pile is the best way to re- action also helps mix the layers, further fa- particularly true in the new shade bed that cycle your garden and kitchen wastes and cilitating decomposition. Two padded I’ve been developing at the edge of my the finished product is a superlative soil handles provide a comfortable grip. woods. My preferred method of eradica- amendment. Grass clippings, raked leaves, tion is pulling out the ivy with gloved and spent flower stalks find new life in the TWO MULTI-TASKERS hands, along with all the roots I can get, pile. Recycling onion skins, apple cores, Some tools are designed for a specific which significantly reduces the problem and banana peels quickly becomes habit task; others satisfy multiple needs. If you over a couple years’ time to an occasional when you have a handy receptacle. Many sprig, easily dispatched. But I have learned sources offer unobtrusive crocks or pails that can be placed next to or under the sink to collect vegetable waste. If an open compost pile is impractical in your yard, compost bins of various sizes and styles are available that enclose wastes as they transition to compost and keep out nuisance pests. To facilitate the transition from trash to treasure, Gardener’s Supply offers a few that the irritating oils in the plant are un- worthy aids. Their Super Hot Compost canny in their ability to find their way to Starter includes an organic “activator” my susceptible epidermis. composed of beneficial microorganisms That is, until I discovered büji Block and nutrients that help get the process and Wash. These products have been very going faster and an “energizer” that in- effective in preventing the rash I dread. cludes peanut meal to keep it moving The block is a preventive treatment that along. To provide the organisms in your also contains a broad-spectrum SPF 24 compost pile with the air they need to do sun block, so you can apply one lotion and their job, a Compost Aerator is just the keep one of these versatile tools handy, protect yourself from both the sun and the tool. Wings at the base of the tool fold up you may find it easier to accomplish tasks notorious weed. The block should be ap- as you sink it into the pile, but as you pull as they appear, rather than delaying plied 20 minutes prior to potential con- them until later. tact, and is effective for six hours. The Japanese Hori Hori Knife The wash is used after contact— from Clean Air Gardening is one preferably before a rash appears—to re- such gadget. It has a sharp, slightly move urushiol, the toxic oil that causes concave stainless steel blade that is allergic reactions from poison ivy, oak, great for digging or cutting, and and sumac. The combination of the two it comes with a sturdy vinyl products is your best bet if, like me, you sheath that you can strap to a are susceptible to the rash but unwilling belt loop for easy access. It’s to let the weed inhibit your garden plans. useful for transplanting,

42 the American Gardener WORLD’S #1 TOP Sources PLANT SUPPLY Black & Decker, Hunt Valley, MD. (800) 231-9786. www.blackanddecker.com. PLANT #1HEALTH EXTRA LIFE Büji, LLC, Chicago, IL. (888) 606-2854. www.bujiproducts.com. Greatest Guarantee-Offer PROOF Ever 65YEARS, $5,000. GUARANTEED to be Worldunchallenged, CHAMPION Clean Air Gardening, Dallas, TX. (214) 363-5170. www.cleanairgardening.com. #1 Activator, #1 Trans/ #1 Extra #1 REVIVER, PLANTER, GROWER, WORLD’S FAIR SCIENCE-MEDAL-WINNING #1 Perfecter VI TMs Gardener’s Supply, Burlington, VT. (888) 833-1412. www.gardeners.com. 50 IN ONE OXO International, New York, NY. (800) 545-4411. www.oxo.com. VITAMINS-HORMONES USED BY U.S. –– FERTILIZER GUARANTEED Departments of –– PESTICIDE –– POLLUTING BioUSABLES As Advertised in AGRICULTURE, ARMY, NON TM Better Homes & Gardens NAVY, AIR. Etc. TO ADD TO FERTILIZING for growing Landscape Architecture ALSO BY STATES, Horticulture CITIES, COUNTIES, DOUBLE MONEY-BACK UNIVERSITIES RECOMMENDED TOP VALUE BY EXPERTS OF TV, RADIO, BOOKS, EXTREME Concentration weeding, or cutting through just about MAGAZINES, Dozens Drop-A-CupTM or CONFERENCES Drop-A-GalTM OF THE anything in your garden. WORLD’S SCIENCE & INDUSTRY Another multi-tasker is OXO’s Good ONLY GOLD MEDAL WORLD’S FAIR 1940 science ® ADD to any fertilizingTM Grips Hand Plow. As with all the Good • 50 INSTANT BioUSABLES NORMAL PURE COMPLEXES • From Carbon-Hydrogen-Oxygen MIRACLES Grips tools, the blade is high quality stain- natural organic crystals • Save plants from waiting while IN EACH trying to make them • Unique. Nothing is “like” it. DROP! less steel and the handle is cushioned to re- SEE TO BELIEVE–– HEALTHIER, FASTER plants duce stress. The plow is designed for both BEAUTY and CROP yieldADDED TO 21 FERTILIZERS by 21 Growers YOU CAN striking and pulling, and because the blade ORDER PINT, QUART, and the handle meet at a right angle, sig- GALLON, Billions–PROVEN or DRUM B A L A N C E D ORIGINAL ADDED TO 18 FERTILIZERS, by 18 Growers significantly. Used batteries can be recycled at any Home Depot or Black & Decker Service Center.

NEARLY 1000 BOOKS, CONFERENCES, REDIRECTING RAIN RECOMMENDED BY MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS,TVs, RADIOS USED BY This year’s dry weather has made many of FIVE U.S. DEPARTMENTS TO HELP WIN WORLD WAR II us give extra thought to water conservation. OF GOVERNMENTS, STATE UNIVERSITIES, LEADING THOUSANDS ARBORETUMS, BOTANICAL GARDENS, PARKS SYSTEMS Rain barrels are a great option—and a top- U.S. STATES and CITIES IN MULTIPLE-DRUMS LOTS FLOWERING PLANTS SHOW WINNERS – “everywhere” ic for another issue—but even without a HEALTHY, TOXICS-FREE FOODS GROWERS UNIQUE. Far easier plant success rain collector, wa- nificant force can be directed to the point- ter that is often lost ed end with minimal effort. The blade has as runoff can be a serrated edge that makes tearing open redirected to areas bags of mulch a snap and it’s sharp enough in your landscape for cutting roots. where it is needed. Clean Air Gar- POWER ME UP! dening’s Drought I’m not big on too many power tools, but Buster Easy Con- sometimes a job calls for one. And the Pow- nect is a simple erful Solutions™ line of rechargeable elec- plastic box that at- tric power tools from Black & Decker has taches to a gutter to divert rainwater to a 11 XMAS TREES 17 HYDROSEEDING 22 FLOWERING PLANT 12 REFORESTATION 18 LANDSCAPING COMPETITIONS some significant advantages over gasoline standard hose. An overflow outlet accom- 13 HYDROPONICS 19 PROPAGATION 23 INTERIORSCAPING 14 FIELD CROPS 20 ANTI-EROSION 24 CUT FLOWERS 15 BONSAI 21 ENVIRONMENTAL 25 WEATHER DAMAGE powered tools. These tools are lightweight modates sudden downpours. Connecting 16 TISSUE CULTURE IMPROVEMENT 26 WATER GARDENS and have some neat safety features. The line the Drought Buster to a soaker hose in a AT CONSCIENTIOUS PLANT DEALERS WORLDWIDE includes the 18 Volt Cordless Chainsaw garden makes good use of every drop of Used, tipped to, and supplied by thousands of conscientious and Cordless Pole Pruning Saw that pro- rain. Because the water pressure will be less plant-selling firms. On every continent, without salesmen. vide excellent power for most gardening than from a faucet, you may need to enlarge REFUSE “just as good,” false, cheaply made, unbalancing substitutes – often 991/2% water. tasks but don’t sound like a jackhammer or the holes in the soaker hose with a piercing NOTHING IS AT ALL “LIKE” 3  smell like a diesel truck. The battery pack is tool or a /16-inch drill bit. 50 VITAMINS-HORMONES interchangeable between the tools and bat- V Made in U.S.A. by VITAMIN INSTITUTE I teries last about 150 cycles (usage followed Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor for The 12610 Saticoy Street South, North Hollywood, CA 91605 by a recharge) before they begin to degrade American Gardener. Website www.superthrive.com

November / December 2007 43 44 line version ofthisarticle. look foraWeb specialattached totheon- take care ofalive tree over theholidays, after theholidays.For advice onhow to tree thatcanbeplantedinthegarden option istopurchase acontainerized live www.yuletreefarm.com. visit mation aboutthefoundingmembers, an independentparty. For more infor- grower program vetted certification by through a fortheindustry conservation grated pestmanagementandsoil tainable growing practicessuch asinte- ones. unlike artificial tree, itcanbeused incompostorasmulch, ed; andthatwhenyou’re donewithacut tree cut,atleastoneisplant- that forevery farms helpprevent erosion andrun-off; paign, proclaiming thatChristmastree has launcheda“Get Real, Go Green” cam- environment.” role inprotecting and maintainingthe grown onfarmsandplayanimportant consumers thatChristmastrees are toeducatethenation—informing serves Tree Farms coalition president. “The co-founder ofthecoalitionandHoliday saysJohnThe oppositeistrue,” Schudel, that Christmastrees deforest America. come membersinthenextseveral months. dozen othergrowers are expectedtobe- Conscious Growers (CECG).At leasta formed theCoalitionofEnvironmentally- Farms, Inc. andYule Tree Farms, have largest growers inOregon, Holiday Tree eco-friendly thanalternatives, twoofthe sumers thatlive-cut trees are more ing notice.In toconvincecon- aneffort onesthatgrowerschoose artificial are tak- years, causingenoughpeopletoinstead getting abadenvironmental rapinrecent Live trees cutfortheholidayshave been TREEGROWERSGOGREEN CHRISTMAS Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners Another environmentally conscious The CECGwillalsopromote sus- To thisend,thenon-profit organization “It todispelthemyth isimportant the American Gardener www.holidaytreefarm.com and three feetwide,itmakesagood ground- 12 to2.Growing upto20 inchestalland Hardiness Zones 5to8, AHSHeat Zones shade anddoeswell inUSDA sun topart G. wallichianum selected by thePerennial Plant Associa- Geranium and heattolerance,it’s nowonderthat spring tillfrost, vividviolet-blueflowers, With itslongseasonofbloomfrom 2008 HONORS ROZANNEGETS GERANIUM chance cross between G.himalayense in thelate1980s.It resulted from a Most liveChristmastreesonthemarketcomefromtreefarmslikethisoneinOregon. Geranium GARDENER Geranium ‘Rozanne’ C Rozanne (‘Gerwat’) hasbeen Rozanne grows best infull ‘Buxton’s Variety’. ’ NOTEBOOK S and Rozanne ered by Donald initially discov- the plantwas of Bressingham, 2000 by Blooms troduced in of theYear. In- Perennial Plant tion asthe2008 erset, England, garden inSom- Waterer intheir and more atwww.geraniumrozanne.com. growth foralongfallofcolor.” Learn inches above ground torejuvenate ham, “shear oldfoliage backtothree Adrian Bloom ofBlooms ofBressing- or moisture stress inAugust,” advises “Should plantsbecome raggedfrom heat cover forthefront ofbedsandborders. If you’ve beenknown totalkyour TALK BACK TO GOHIGHTECH PLANTS horticulture with ahealthydashofhumor. and KatiLondon, mixtechnologyand Ron Faludi,RebeccaBray,Kate Hartman, Botanicalls inventors,clockwise fromleft,

TOP: COURTESY OF THE COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS GROWERS. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF BLOOMS OF BRESSINGHAM. RIGHT: TOM IGOE / COURTESY OF BOTANICALLS plants, now you can hear plants talk ucational effort, people can also call in to individuals and visionary companies that back, thanks to four enterprising gradu- Botanicalls and be connected to the differ- have played significant roles in the glob- ate students at New York University. The ent plants to learn more about them. al floriculture industry’s history and that students invented a system, dubbed Currently, the students are working on are shaping the industry’s future with Botanicalls, that enables plants to make a do-it-yourself kit and enabling the plants groundbreaking new varieties and inno- a telephone call to their caretaker when to talk to one another. To learn more, visit vative marketing programs.” they need human intervention. www.botanicalls.com. This year, Catharanthus roseus Cora™ When sensors detect that the plant re- developed by Goldsmith Seeds took two quires water or more light, a message is EXCELLENCE AWARDS FOR THE of the five awards given—the Industry’s sent via a radio signal to the Internet, HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY Choice for Breeding as well as the Reader’s which communicates with an open For nearly two decades, the trade maga- Choice award. After 18 years of develop- source telephone system to generate a zine Greenhouse Grower has presented its ment, this new Madagascar periwinkle se- call. When the call is answered, a pre- Medal of Excellence Awards to “talented ries boasts superior disease resistance, heat recorded message informs the caretaker tolerance, and large flowers. Available in of the plant’s needs. After the particular spring 2008 in six colors and a mix, Cora need has been met, the Botanicalls sys- thrives in full sun and grows up to 16 inch- tem even allows the plant to politely es tall and two feet wide. make a call to express gratitude. Other winners were the Perennial Plant So far, a small collection of houseplants Association (Industry Achievement), No- such as spider plant, prayer plant, and valis (Marketer of the Year), and Blutopia pothos are part of Botanicalls. “Because the and Snowtopia bacopas from PanAmeri- project is meant to educate people about can Seed (Editor’s Choice for Breeding). the habits and needs of plants so that they might better understand how to care for EFFICACY OF ECHINACEA SUPPLEMENTS them,” the students gave the different A recent study by researchers at the Uni- plants voices that correlate to each plant’s versity of Connecticut adds new fuel to

COURTESY OF GOLDSMITH SEEDS botanical characteristics. As part of this ed- Goldsmith Seeds’ Catharanthus roseus Cora™ the back-and-forth debate regarding the

For 40 years, distinctive, award-winning landscapes have been the hallmark of Chapel Valley Landscape Companyʼs commitment to creativity, quality and service. We design, install and maintain landscapes that make a positive first impression. Call us today to discuss your plans using our comprehensive landscape services.

Maryland 410.442.2310 Virginia 703.406.0802 Washington, D.C. 301.924.5400 www.chapelvalley.com

November / December 2007 45 46 occurred in23percent ofbeekeepingop- winter, honeybeehive lossesfrom CCD hive, leavingnodeadbeesbehind.Last that allornearlyadultbees abandona since 2004.Themainsymptomis served 2006, thoughsimilarcaseshave beenob- disorder (CCD),firstrecognized in of honeybeesknown ascolonycollapse working to discover thecauseofadisease areEntomologists across thecountry HONEYBEES UPDATE ONDISAPPEARING infection orsymptoms. statistically significantreduction ofcold Echinacea angustifolia cluded thatextractsfrom theroots of England Journal ofMedicine, of a2005studypublishedintheNew duration ofacoldby 1.4days. mon coldby 58percent andreduced the creased theoddsofdeveloping thecom- that useofEchinacea -based products de- Lancet: Infectious Diseases. their findingsinSeptember’s issueof ined results of14studiesandreported cold symptoms. may reduce thedurationand/orseverity of that useof Several studiesinEurope have indicated reducing thechancesofcatchingacold. lieved tostimulatetheimmunesystem, purea, such asEchinacea angustifolia above-ground ofconeflowers portions ment ofthecommoncold. echinacea intheprevention andtreat- effectiveness oftheherbalsupplement common coldcontradictspreviousfindings. the efficacyofechinaceatotreat A recentUniversityofConnecticutstudyon These findingscontradicttheresults The Connecticutresearchers exam- Typically derived from the roots or the American Gardener these supplementsare widelybe- Echinacea do notresult in a supplements also They found which con- or E. pur- State University discovered a strong cor- vice, Columbia University, and Penn from USDA’s Agricultural Research Ser- cent oftheirhives. keepers reported lossesof30to 90 per- erations intheUnited States; somebee- den Plants, den 2004. Uponherretirementin2005,theBBGnamed ica in2004,andtheAmericanHorticulturalSociety’sProfessionalAward the ScottArboretumin1998,MedalofHonorfromGardenClubAmer- and theNorthwestFlower&GardenShow. coming horticulturaleventsnextyear,includingthePhiladelphia FlowerShow of plantthecompanygrows. Hinkley willalsohelptrainMonrovia’ssalesteamontheattributes ofeachkind and formerownerofHeronswoodnurserygardeninKingston,Washington, Dan Hinkley,anaward-winningplantsmanandwriterbestknownascofounder Monrovia EnlistsPlantsmanDanHinkleytoDevelopNewPlants hybrid developedatthegarden,inherhonor. the firsteditionof Botanic GardensConservationInternational.Shewastheco-editor-in-chiefof ical GardensandArboreta(nowtheAmericanPublicGardenAssociation) director in1983,leavingtheposition1990toleadBBG. tum ofSwarthmoreCollegeinPennsylvania.Shebecamethearboretum’s lowship, shestartedasaneducationcoordinatorin1977attheScottArbore- a yearinEnglandstudyinglandscapedesignonGardenClubofAmericafel- York, diedattheageof55onSeptember1,2007afteralongbattlewithbreast Judith D.Zuk,presidentemeritusofBrooklynBotanicGarden(BBG)inNew JudithD.Zuk,BotanicGardenExecutive In Memoriam: PLACESintheNEWS PEOPLE and Recently, ateamledby researchers Zuk’s manyaccoladesincludetheArthurHoytScottMedalandAwardfrom Additionally, HinkleywillbespeakingonbehalfofMonrovia atseveralup- Additionally, ZukservedontheboardsofAmericanAssociationBotan- published in1997. ministration throughtheUniversityofDelaware.Following Program, earningaMaster’sdegreeinPublicGardenAd- cepted intothehighlycompetitiveLongwoodGraduate versity withabotanydegreein1973.Shewasthenac- its masterplan. and scientificprograms,oversawthedevelopmentof expansion ofmanyitsgardens,enhancededucational to 2005,ZukguidedtheBBGthroughrenovationand cancer. Duringher15-yeartenureaspresidentfrom1990 varieties orgenerathatMonroviahasn’tgrownbefore.” “he’ll belookingfornewplantmaterialus,especially Nicholas Staddon,Monrovia’sdirectorofnewplants, cover newvarieties. as seekoutadditionalplantstotrialinaneffortdis- help assessMonrovia’scurrentplantevaluationsaswell With hisextensiveplant-huntingexperience,Hinkleywill a wholesalenurserybusinessheadquarteredinCalifornia. will actasanadvisorforthenewplantsteamatMonrovia, American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Gar- of Encyclopedia A-Z Society Horticultural American Zuk graduatedsummacumlaudefromRutgersUni- “As Danisoutandaboutonhistravels,”explains the virus andCCD. the virus cates asignificant relationship between ic materialinCCDinfected beesindi- apparent, theprevalence ofIAPVgenet- though nodirect causalrelationship is Israeli Acute Paralysis Al- Virus (IAPV). relation called between CCDandavirus Magnolia ‘Judy Zuk’,a 

FAR LEFT: MARY YEE. TOP RIGHT; COURTESY OF BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN; BOTTOM RIGHT; COURTESY OF MONROVIA COURTESY OF APWG The varroa miteisalsoavector ofIAPV. more susceptibletootherpestsordiseases. immune systemofbees,makingthem States butnotinAustralia—suppress the present throughout themainlandUnited bees—such asthevarroa mite,whichis bees from Australia, whichbeganin2004. States of coincidedwiththeimportation cidence ofthedisorder intheUnited the causeorcausesofCCDisthatin- at work. Afactorthatmayhelppindown combination ofsuchcausalagentsmaybe pesticides. Earlyevidenceindicatesthata environmental ornutritionalstress, and reemerging pathogens,pests,orparasites, searchers are or studyingincludenew nursery crops in2006stillincreased bynursery However, totalsalesofgreenhouse and higher energyandfoodpricesin2006.” consumer demandwasweakened by Yearbook, Agriculture’s According of totheU.S.Department MIXED FOR2006 SALES GREEN INDUSTRY Furthermore, pestsofhoney- certain Other potentialcausesofCCDthatre- released inSeptember, “overall Floriculture &Nursery Crops cheek movie postertheme.Eachmonth aquatic plantspresented withatongue-in- wood ones,butrathersomeinvasive wild “stars?” Not thebikini-cladHolly- how aboutonethat features somewet and If you’re inneedofacalendarfornextyear, WEEDS GONEWILDCALENDAR flower consumptionintheUnited States. which accountedfor67percent ofcut flowersported from South America, these flowers facecompetitionfrom im- ward salestrend. Domestic producers of chids, andliliescontinuedontheirup- sales in2006,tulips,gerberadaisies,or- roses, gladioli,andirisesexperiencedlower percent. Althoughcutflowers suchas from 2005,whilepricesincreased by four notes thatsaleswere upby onepercent increased by five percent. seven percent, buttheirwholesaleprices ted flowering plantssolddropped by creased. For example, thenumberofpot- dropped from theyear before, pricesin- quantities formanyofthesecrops $52 millionfrom 2005.Thoughsales As fordomesticcutflowers, thereport and ContributingE Written byEditor Assistant Viveka Neveln plants from naturalareas.” invasive speciesand by removing invasive preventing theuseandintroduction of native plantsandnaturalecosystemsby andrestoration of mote theconservation species. TheAPWG’s missionisto“pro- educates thepublicaboutinvasive plant the calendarisonewayorganization Alien Plant Working Group (APWG), year byAlliance’s thePlant Conservation pubs/calendar.htm. loaded from www.nps.gov/plants/alien/ The calendarmaybedown- Alternanthera philoxeroides. the AlligatorWeed” starring ber announces“Invasion of Black Lagoon,”andSeptem- “Parrot’s Feather from the Myriophyllum aquaticum example, February features aggressive tendencies.For movie headlinethatemphasizes theplant’s shows aspecieswithfictitiousmonster Produced withadifferent themeeach November /December2007 ditor RitaPelczar. in  47 48 by BonnieL.Harper-Lore Lady Bird Johnson:HerVision ReflectedinAmerica’sRoadsides Lady BirdandLyndon Johnsoninawildflowerfield neartheirhomeinStonewall,Texas, 1968 L along America’s roadways. America’s naturalbeauty. Mrs.Johnson highway systemasameansto preserve President Lyndon Baines Johnson, sawthe remains withustoday.” projects and environmental sensitivitythat created abalance between transportation Highway Administration (FHWA). “She Capka, theadministratorofFederal along ournation’s roads,” notedJ.Richard worked to expandtherole ofgreen space sionate allyinLadyBird Johnson who “America’s highwaysystemhaslostapas- many othersignificantachievements. 1965 Highway Beautification Act, among thatresultedon alifelongcrusade inthe scape andshare itwithotherslaunchedher thenaturalland- determination topreserve ty ofthelandscapearound herhome.Her Johnson learnedtolove thenaturalbeau- Both Mrs.Johnson and herhusband, As achildgrowing upinTexas, Mrs. the American Gardener ADY BIRDJOHNSON legacy lives onforfuture generationstoenjoy inthelandscaping died onJuly 11attheageof94,buther Assistance Act (STURAA),required that Transportation andUniform Relocation 1987. Thatamendment,the Surface amendment totheTransportation billof Lloyd Bentsen Jr.—she affectedan with thehelpofanoldfriend,Senator Laterthatyear— flowers andgrasses. roadways, specificallywithnative wild- restore andprotect thenaturalbeautyof with thelackofsuccessby stateDOTs to in itsown regional accent,”shesaid. it whenthelandspeaksitsown language identity. IgoinAmerica,like “Wherever derscore eachstate’s regional beautyand rest areas, andstateentrancesthathelpun- of thatforesight are thescenicoverlooks, jacent tothehighway. Thetangibleresults sition andmaintenanceofnaturalareas ad- each dollarspentwere allocatedforacqui- was especiallyexcited thatthree centsof But by 1986,shewasdisappointed APPRECIATION C whose foresight madethispossible. enjoy them,remember thegreat woman vacation.drive, Asyou oracross-country glimpse onadailycommute, aweekend ofnaturalbeautythatyoupreserves may versity, havens forendangered species,and These roadside areas are refuges ofbiodi- showcase thebeautyofnative wildflowers. lion acres ofgreen spaceitmanagesto the future. It willdosoby usingthe12mil- tion ofAmerica’s naturalbeautyfarinto flect Mrs.Johnson’s desire forconserva- Management Program tocontinuere- sidered native forplantingpurposes. Therefore naturalized plantsare notcon- out direct orindirect humanactions.” region, state,ecosystem,andhabitatwith- grasses that“occur naturally inaparticular tion ofnative wildflowers astheforbsand FHWA, whichincludedarevised defini- tive wildflower guidelinesestablishedby characterize eachstate’s naturalheritage. rather thanthehardier native species that and annualreplantings tolookgood— flowers thatrequired highmaintenance daisies—all naturalized European garden was acres ofpoppies,cosmos,andoxeye available inthe1980s.Whatpublicgot RAA, stateDOTs plantedwhatwasreadily nition of“native wildflowers” intheSTU- childhood walks.But withoutacleardefi- wood blossomssheeagerlysoughtouton of theblack-eyed Susans, violets,anddog- she spokeofwildflowers, shewasthinking crews couldnotafford todeliver. When it evoked anexpectationthatroadside loose useoftheterm“wildflowers” because tive wildflowers. landscaping projects beusedtoplantna- expended forFederally-aided highway ofonepercent ofthefunds one-quarter Vegetation Management Program. Bonnie Harper-Lore managestheFHWA’s It isthegoalofFHWA’s Vegetation Mrs. Johnson agreed withthe1994na- Later, Mrs.Johnson cametoregret the 

FRANK WOLFE / COURTESY OF LBJ LIBRARY

GIFTS FORC THE GARDENER

With the holidays approaching, the following items make perfect gifts for the gardeners in your life—or even for yourself.

Seed Keeper

This clever notebook fits on a bookshelf and safely stores all your seeds for next season. It includes six plastic sleeves (enough to hold 36 seed envelopes), 20 seed envelopes, and a detailed seed American Horticultural Society information sheet. Available for $33.50 from Lee Valley Tools, Inc. Membership (800) 871-8158. www.leevalley.com.

AHS memberships make great gifts for the gardeners on your holiday list. And for a limited time, get three memberships for the price of two—a $105 value for only $70. Membership benefits include six issues of The American Gardener, free or reduced admission to hundreds of botanical gardens and flower shows across the country, participation in the AHS’s Annual Seed Exchange, and access to the new online seminars. Offer ends December 7. (800) 777-7931. www.ahs.org.

Country Compost Crock

Collect kitchen food scraps for the backyard compost bin in this glazed ceramic crock. It is dishwasher safe and comes with two charcoal filters to trap odors. $29.95 from Gardener’s Supply Company. (800) 427-3363. www.gardeners.com.

50 the American Gardener Neuton ® Mower

Mow a small lawn easily and quietly (and emission free) with the Neuton Cordless Electric Mower that runs for up to one hour on a single charge. Features include a security key, mowing height adjustments up to three inches, 14-inch mowing width, side discharge or rear bagging for clippings, two-year warranty, and optional kits for mulching and edging. $344 from Dr. Power Equipment. (800) 798-2921. www.drpower.com. Root of the Earth Basket

Perfect for a centerpiece, a fruit bowl, or potpourri, this unique wooden basket is hand-carved from the discarded root balls of Chinese fir trees. It measures approximately 10 inches tall and 13 inches wide. $79 from VivaTerra. (800) 233-6011. www.vivaterra.com.

Hand-Blown Glass Fountain Kit

This two-foot-tall glass fountain Recycla Bowls arrives ready to install in your pond or even a container. Available in blue These bulb kits look great, are leak resistant, or pink, the kit comes complete with and feature 100 percent recycled fiber a tripod fountain stand, copper pipe, containers made from post-harvest straw, water pump, plastic tubing, and recycled newspaper, and corrugated cardboard. 13- to 16-inch glass fountain top. Select from tulip, paperwhite narcissus, or Retails for $185 from Garden amaryllis bulbs. Priced from $21.50 to $26.75 Artisans. (410) 672-0082. at Potting Shed Creations. (800) 505-7496. www.gardenartisans.us. www.pottingshedcreations.com.

Products profiled are chosen based on qualities such as innovative design, horticultural utility, and environmental responsibility; they have not been tested by the American Horticultural Society. Listed prices are subject to change.

November / December 2007 51 BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die Conifers for Gardens: An Illustrated Encyclopedia Rae Spencer-Jones, general editor. Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., Richard L. Bitner. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2007. 424 pages. Hauppauge, New York, 2007. 960 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcov- Publisher’s price, hardcover: $59.95. er: $34.99. THE WAIT IS OVER for conifer enthusiasts worldwide: a UNDER THE GUIDANCE of General Editor Rae Spencer- book that includes detailed species and cultivar information, Jones, formerly with Gardens Illustrated magazine, a team of more cultural details, and lots of color photographs has finally ar- than 70 contributors from around rived. Richard L. Bitner compiles all the world helped to compile this use- this and more in Conifers for Gardens: ful guidebook aimed at globetrotting An Illustrated Encyclopedia, a book that gardeners. From the much-celebrat- will surely find a home on the book- ed gardens at France’s Château de shelves of novices and experts alike. Versailles to the miniscule garden cre- Bitner’s extensive knowledge of ated by Celia Thaxter in Appledore, conifers and his matter-of-fact writing Maine, this book is an impressive style make the reading fluid and the compendium you’ll want to consult subject easy to understand. In the in- when planning your next trip. troduction, he gives an overview of The book is organized from east conifer biology, landscape use, origin to west and north to south, starting of names and cultivars, and pests and diseases. The encyclope- with North America and ending with a section on islands. dic listings of conifers follow, alphabetized in a clear and logi- When trying to find gardens in the United Kingdom, I found cal manner by genus, then species, and then cultivar. it confusing to go from Estonia to Scotland to Denmark and Each entry contains detailed species and cultivar descriptions, Lithuania and then back to England, with Wales following Ger- including origin, habit, cultural requirements, ornamental char- many and Poland, rather than alphabetically. However, an acteristics, potential landscape uses, and even ethnobotanical uses index does list gardens by country. and wildlife significance. The book is illustrated with 1,550 color Succinct entries highlight each garden’s best features. One I photographs taken by the author in gardens, arboreta, and nurs- found particularly compelling is editor Erica Hunningher’s de- eries in the United States and Europe. For many entries, close- scription of the Dhobi Mahal palace in Rajasthan, India. Even up photos of foliage, cones, and bark are included. though it is filled with weeds, the garden and “the whole crum- A helpful appendix includes a quick reference guide to bling complex offer a fascinating glimpse of Mughal grandeur.” conifer taxonomy and conifer selection, providing multiple Each entry also contains a short list of useful information: the choices to consider whether selecting a plant for foliage, habit, garden’s size, location, climate zone, owner, and main style, or cultural requirements. Another appendix lists gardens in the whether 20th century modern or 14th century Moorish. The gar- United States, Canada, and Europe that Bitner recommends den designer or designers are also listed and stunning photographs for viewing conifers. On top of that, there’s a 10-page index that accompany many entries. includes all cultivars, common names, and pests and diseases of The guide is heavy on British gardens—more than 50 in the plants listed in the book. Scotland and Wales alone, 240-plus in England. In the United “Perhaps more than any other group of plants, conifers are se- States, just over 100 gardens are listed, and there are some glar- lected without much thought and inappropriately placed in the ing omissions: the U.S. Botanic Garden and National Arbore- home landscape,” observes Bitner. “They are often considered tum in Washington, D.C., for example. merely utilitarian, low-maintenance shrubs to situate next to a Nevertheless, this is an indispensable book for the garden building to hide its foundation.” This book is a testament to the aficionado. At more than 900 pages, it’s a little too cumbersome fact that conifers are far more versatile, offering gardeners a “var- to drag around in a suitcase or tote bag, but still a very welcome ied palette of forms, colors, and textures” and year-round interest. addition to the garden travel guide genre. —Jessica Arcate —Jane Berger Jessica Arcate is curator of trees and shrubs at The New York Botanical Jane Berger is a landscape designer based in Washington, D.C., and Garden, where she is responsible for the maintenance and development publisher of www.gardendesignonline.com. of the woody plant collections.

52 the American Gardener Sunset Western Garden Book What sets the Western Garden Book apart from other gar- Kathleen Norris Brenzel, editor. Sunset Publishing Corporation, Men- dening encyclopedias is its presentation of regional climate lo Park, California, 2007. 768 pages. Publisher’s price, softcover: zones. For several decades, the Sunset staff has researched me- $34.95. teorological records, maintained first-hand observations, and communicated directly with horticulturists throughout the WITH ITS LATEST RELEASE, the Sunset Western Garden West to document yearly temperature ranges and extremes (not Book retains its position as the “bible” for gardeners west of just winter lows), average annual rainfall amounts and season- the Rockies. First published 70 al patterns, humidity, ocean versus continental influences, wind years ago, the ensuing eight edi- patterns, and prevalence of sunlight. tions trace the evolution of the The result has been a continuous refinement of the 24 care- western garden, reflecting a region- fully delineated climate zones in the West—from coastal to wide emphasis on outdoor living mountain, temperate rainforest to desert; additional zones and, now, an accelerating interest apply to Alaska and Hawaii. The encyclopedia listings note the in earth-friendly practices. zones in which each plant is dependable, providing a useful aid The Western Garden Book is best for reliable plant selection for western gardens. known for its encyclopedia of plants Such a tome could easily become impersonal and stale, but grown in the West. Symbols, codes, the editors have avoided those pitfalls with appealing graphics, and succinct descriptions of more superb photography, and a clear organization of the material, than 8,000 plants fill more than 500 all backed by solid horticultural advice for gardening in the— pages. With each edition, the editors make the wrenching deci- mostly—arid West. New to this edition are personal recom- sion to eliminate a number of plants to make room for new in- mendations or how-to tips from more than 30 individuals troductions that have entered the trade since the previous edition. known for their expertise in Western gardening.  Because of increasing concerns about water in the West, each —Richard G. Turner Jr. plant is coded for its particular needs. In this new edition, the illustrations for each plant have been made larger and, thus, Richard G. Turner Jr. is the editor of Pacific Horticulture, the more helpful. The book includes lists of plants grouped by type magazine for West Coast gardeners, and has also edited several books, and purpose, all keyed to the encyclopedic listings. including Trees of Golden Gate Park and Botanica.

Pacific Horticulture The magazine for West Coast gardeners . . . and plant enthusiasts everywhere.

If you enjoy reading about gardening as much as you enjoy gardening, then we invite you to subscribe now and join the

PHOTO BY ANNE C. ALLEN FROM 2008 GARDENER’S CALENDAR growing community 2008 “Gardener’s” Calendar of readers passionate There are 13 prize-winning colors taken by about plants, igand TGOA/MGCA members, including AHS members gardens — and who are also members of TGOA/MGCA Pacific Horticulture Bob W ! $6.95 ($59.00 for 10) Postpaid To order: call 515-278-0295 or e-mail [email protected] $28 per year for four glorious, full-color issues.

The Gardeners of America/ Send a check for $28 to Pacific Horticulture Men’s Garden Clubs of America PO Box 485 Box 241, Johnston, Iowa 50121-0241 Berkeley, CA 94701. (515) 278-0295 Or call 510/849-1627 to charge to MasterCard or Visa. www.tgoa-mgca.org www.pacifichorticulture.org

November / December 2007 53 GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Books for Young Readers

EVERAL GARDENERS I know became interested in picture book, If I Were a Tree (Brown plants at a young age, usually thanks to a parent, teacher, Dog Books, 2007, $17.95). She asks her Sor other mentor. I can probably attribute my own horti- readers to leap into the bark of a tree, imag- cultural beginnings to my mother, who would tell me the ining with her what life would be like. Her names of all the plants in our garden and help me sprout an av- arboreal world consists of trees that pro- ocado seed from time to time when I was little. The storybooks vide flowers in the spring, cool shade in the my father would read to me at bedtime also helped to kindle summer, and a brilliant autumn show. my interest in plants and nature. Several of my favorites, such Trees with sweet gifts such as apples, pears, as The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, are named on the and cherries make an appearance, too, “Growing Good Kids—Excellence in Children’s Literature” along with those that provide homes for Book Award Program’s “Classics” list of the 40 best books pub- wildlife, all illustrated by Hosta’s beautiful, lished in the last century. More wonderful books arrive every color saturated collages. The final collage year—here are a few recently published examples. takes a more direct educational bent, nam- Where would gardens be without earthworms? Wiggle and ing the parts of a tree such as sapwood and Waggle (Charlesbridge, 2007, $12.95) by Caroline Arnold and crown, and listing a few facts about trees. illustrated by Mary Peterson cele- I Heard It from Alice Zucchini (Chronicle Books, 2006, brates these little critters in an en- $15.95), written by Juanita Havill and illustrated by Christine dearing way that children will dig Davenier, offers 20 poems—some (pun intended). Divided into five rhyming and some free verse—that short chapters, this book follows two make even ordinary garden happen- worms as they industriously tunnel ings seem magical. Words and water- around in a garden, making up a colors whimsically depict planting song to make the work go faster. seeds in the spring, a scarecrow in the Then the duo takes a day off to enjoy vegetable patch, picking carrots, and a picnic of bug juice, dirt rolls, and a summer storm, for example. One mud pie, followed by a swim in a imaginative poem, called “The puddle left by a passing shower. A page at the end of the book Pumpkin’s Revenge,” fills in the back explains in simple sentences how worms help plants grow and story about Cinderella’s pumpkin— includes a few “fun worm facts,” such as mentioning that the ridiculed by other vegetables for its longest worms in the world grow up to 22 feet. ugliness until the Fairy Godmother turns it into a carriage. Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush by Iza Trapani Rather than turning back into a pumpkin, it remained a car- (Charlesbridge, 2006, $6.95) stars some other critters that are riage and ended up in a Paris museum. perhaps less endearing to gardeners For a slightly older crowd, Jackson Jones and the Curse of than earthworms, but will certainly the Outlaw Rose by Mary Quattlebaum (Delacorte Press, charm young readers. Set to the chil- 2006, $14.95) is a chapter book for dren’s song of the same name as the ages eight through 12, though adults book, the stanzas tell the story of a may even enjoy this humorous, well- gardener’s efforts to keep a succession written tale. In this third and final in- of marauders out of her vegetable stallment of the Jackson Jones series, patch. Rabbits, mice, groundhogs, 11-year-old Jackson takes a cutting deer, and raccoons all make an ap- from a rose in a graveyard and gets pearance, munching and crunching caught up in a spooky series of events their way through the pages with gusto. This forces the gar- that revolves around the community dener to perfect her fence again and again with equal determi- garden he frequents. A colorful cast of nation until at last she can only shrug and try to share. The characters, including his plant-loving colorful and sometimes intricate watercolor illustrations fur- mother, his best friend Reuben, and ther bring this wild goose chase to life. Mr. Kerring—who got Jackson into the whole rose-wrangling “Trees can be a part of our childhood memories, often grow- mess in the first place—helps him set things right again.  ing up along with us,” notes Dar Hosta, in her inspiring new —Viveka Neveln, Assistant Editor

54 the American Gardener

REGIONALC HAPPENINGS

Horticultural Events from Around the Country

Foellinger-Friemann Botanical Conservatory. NORTHEAST Events sponsored by or including official Fort Wayne, Indiana. (219) 427-6440. CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT participation by AHS or AHS staff members www.botanicalconservatory.org. RAP NOV. 23–DEC. 30. Holly Days! Booked are identified with the AHS symbol. for the Holidays. Display. Tower Hill Botanic RAP NOV. 23–JAN. 6. Holidays at the Garden. Boyleston, Massachusetts. (508) Events hosted by botanical gardens and Conservatory. Franklin Park Conservatory. 869-6111. www.towerhillbg.org. arboreta that participate in AHS’s Reciprocal Columbus, Ohio. (800) 214-7275. Admissions Program are identified with the www.fpconservatory.org. RAP NOV. 28. Wreaths from the Wild. Work- RAP symbol. Current AHS members showing a shop. Berkshire Botanical Garden. Stock- RAP NOV. 23–JAN. 6. Wonderland Express. valid membership card are eligible for free or bridge, Massachusetts. (413) 298-3926. Holiday display. Chicago Botanic Garden. discounted admission to the garden or other www.berkshirebotanical.org. Glencoe, Illinois. (847) 835-5440. benefits. Special events may not be included; www.chicagobotanic.org. RAP DEC. 1. Christmas Wreath Workshop. contact the host site for details or visit Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum. ww.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm. RAP DEC. 1–31. Holiday Express. Flower Bristol, Rhode Island. (401) 253-2707. and model train show. Olbrich Botanical www.blithewold.org. Gardens. Madison, Wisconsin. (608) 246- Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C. (202) 4550. www.olbrich.org. RAP DEC. 1 & 2. Holiday Bazaar. Plants, 388-9560. www.washingtonantiques.org. greens, and wreaths on sale. Merryspring RAP DEC. 7–22. Lights Before Christmas. Nature Center. Camden, Maine. (207) 236- RAP JAN. 16 & 17. Annual Landscape De- Display. Fernwood Botanical Garden & Na- 2239. www.merryspring.org. sign Symposium. Morris Arboretum at the ture Preserve. Niles, Michigan. (269) 695- University of Pennsylvania. (215) 247- 6491. www.fernwoodbotanical.org. RAP DEC. 8. Fresh Boxwood Tree Construc- 5777. www.morrisarboretum.org. tion. Workshop. Buffalo and Erie County SOUTH CENTRAL Botanical Gardens. Buffalo, New York. SOUTHEAST AR, KS, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX (716) 827-1584. www.buffalogardens.com. AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN RAP THROUGH JAN. 6. Amazing Chocolate DEC. 8. Shrubs in Winter. Class. New Eng- RAP NOV. 23–DEC. 22. Enchanted Airlie. Tree. Exhibit. Dallas Arboretum and Botani- land Wild Flower Society and Delta Institute Display. Airlie Gardens. Wilmington, cal Garden. Dallas, Texas. (214) 515-6500. of Natural History. Framingham, Massachu- North Carolina. (910) 798-7700. www.dallasarboretum.org. setts. (508) 877-7630. www.newfs.org. www.airliegardens.org. RAP NOV. 23 & 24. Illuminations. NOV. 29 & 30. Great Southern Tree Confer- Luminary display. Botanica, The Wichita MID-ATLANTIC ence. Florida Nursery, Growers and Land- Gardens. Wichita, Kansas. (316) 264-0448. PA, NJ, VA, MD, DE, WV, DC scape Association and University of Florida. www.botanica.org. RAP NOV. 23–JAN. 7. GardenFest of Lights. Gainesville, Florida. (407) 295-7994. Evening display. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gar- www.greatsoutherntreeconference.org. RAP NOV. 27. Gifts from the Gardens. den. Richmond, Virginia. (804) 262-9887. Workshop. Garvan Woodland Gardens. Hot www.lewisginter.org. RAP DEC. 1. Holiday Greenery Sale. Springs National Park, Arkansas. (800) Aldridge Gardens. Hoover, Alabama. (205) 366-4664. www.garvangardens.org. RAP DEC. 6. Della Robbia Wreath Work- 682-8019. www.aldridgegardens.com. shop. Norfolk Botanical Garden. Norfolk, RAP DEC. 1. Family Wreathmaking. Class. Virginia. (757) 441-5830. www.norfolk RAP DEC. 1. Rare Plant Auction. Dinner Missouri Botanical Garden. St. Louis, Mis- botanicalgarden.org. and auction. Mounts Botanical Garden. souri. (314) 577-5100. www.mobot.org. West Palm Beach, Florida. (561) 233- RAP DEC. 8–16. Winter Silhouettes. 1757. www.mounts.org. RAP DEC. 4. Plants of Christmas: Legends, Bonsai exhibit. U.S. National Arboretum. Lore, and History. Presentation. Biedenharn Washington, D.C. (202) 245-2726. Looking ahead Museum & Gardens. Monroe, Louisiana. www.usna.usda.gov. JAN. 18–20. Southern Gardening Symposium. (318) 387-5281. www.bmuseum.org. Callaway Gardens. Pine Mountain, Georgia. Looking ahead (800) 225-5292. www.callawaygardens.org. SOUTHWEST JAN. 9–11. Mid-Atlantic Nursery & Trade AZ, NM, CO, UT Show. Baltimore, Maryland. NORTH CENTRAL www.mants.com. RAP NOV. 23–DEC. 23. Las Noches de las IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI Luminarias. Holiday festival. Desert Botani- JAN. 10–13. Inspirations from the Garden. RAP NOV. 21–DEC. 2. Wonderland of cal Garden. Phoenix, Arizona. (480) 941- Washington Antiques Show. The Omni Wreaths. Holiday display and silent auction. 1225. www.dbg.org.

56 the American Gardener

58 Denver, Colorado.(720)865-3500. Holiday display.DenverBotanicGardens. (503) 226-4562. Conservation Association.Eugene,Oregon. Plant Conference. Bellevue, Washington.(425)451-3755. Holiday display.BellevueBotanicalGarden. JAN. 9. Looking ahead RAP 543-8800. Park Arboretum.Seattle,Washington.(206) Greens, GiftsandCrafts. RAP NOV. 27–29. www.bellevuebotanical.org. RAP JAN. 14. Looking ahead (626) 821-3222. and BotanicGarden.Arcadia,California. House. RAP 661-1316. Arboretum. SanFrancisco,California.(415) San FranciscoBotanicalGardenatStrybing RAP www.descansogardens.org. Flintridge, California.(818)949-4200. Workshop. DescansoGardens.LaCanada RAP RAP www.maricopacountyhomeshows.com. AHS Looking ahead www.botanicgardens.org. RAP DEC. 1. Phoenix, Arizona.(602)485-1691. Garden Show. nia. (760)730-3268. Diego HorticulturalSociety.DelMar,Califor- Ideas forSustainableGardens. 326-9686. Botanical Gardens.Tucson,Arizona.(520) (707) 964-4352. Botanical Gardens.FortBragg,California. Centerpiece Sale. (503) 874-8100. The OregonGarden.Silverton,Oregon. the American Gardener DEC. 8&9. DEC. 1. NOV. 24–DEC.31. DEC. 9. DEC. 8. DEC. 8. DEC. 1&2. DEC. 1–JAN.20. Flora ofSeattlein 1850:TheLand- Rainwater Harvesting. JAN. 11–13 Los AngelesCountyArboretum Lessons fromChelsea:International www.tucsonbotanical.org. Fourth PacificNorthwestNative www.sfbotanicalgarden.org. www.arboretumfoundation.org. AK, ID,MT,OR,WA,WY Greens Galore:Wreaths, Queen AnneCottageOpen Wreath-Making Workshop. Wintry WreathsClass. Arizona StateFairgrounds. WEST COAST NORTHWEST . Holiday Wreathand Winter Festival. Mendocino Coast CA, NV,HI www.oregongarden.org. www.westernforestry.org. www.arboretum.org. www.gardenbythesea.org. Western Forestryand Maricopa CountyHome& Blossoms ofLight. www.sdhortsoc.org. Garden d’Lights. Sale. Washington Lecture. Tucson Lecture. San festival. Butchart Gardens.Victoria,British Ontario. (905)527-1158. shops. 527-1794. and lecture.Seattle,Washington.(206) west HorticulturalSocietyannualmeeting scape BeforeUrbanDevelopment. DEC. 1–JAN.6. RAP University OfficeofPublicRelationsandCommunicationsat (396)822-8920. ed toursforthepublic.Formoreinformationaboutgarden, contacttheStetson months tocomplete.Theonlynon-nativeplantingisadrought-tolerantzoysialawn. blue flagiris,anddunesunflower.InstallationstartedinMayofthisyeartookfour rigation. Plantingsincludemagnoliaandcypresstrees,oakleafhydrangea,Floridaanise, featuring morethan80treesandhundredsofshrubs,evenutilizesreclaimedwaterforir- anthropic organizationthatfocusesonfacilityrenovationandconstruction.Thedesign, the garden,whichwasfundedbyMarshallandVeraLeaRinkerFoundation,aphil- also serveasalivinglaboratoryforstudentsstudyingthenaturalsciences. of Stetson.Inadditiontoprovidingabeautifulsettingforofficialuniversityevents,itwill based onaccesstoahealthyandsustainableenvironment,”saysH.DouglasLee,president The newgarden“illustratesthemessagethatStetsonUniversityfosterslandscapevalues university President’sHousewithnearlytwoacresofnativetrees,shrubs,andperennials. showcase asnewlandscapesarecreatedandexistingonesrenovated. tions SpecialistGerriBauer.Theentirecampusisgraduallybecominganativeplant shrubs, andfloweringplantsinallcampuslandscaping,”saysStetsonCommunica- the StetsonNativePlantInitiative,which“mandatesuseofonlyFloridanativetrees, Stetson UniversityDonsaNativeHat The VeraLeaRinkerNativePlantGardenaroundthePresident’sHouse. SINCE Though thegardenisprivate,universitydevelopingaplan forofferingguid- Landscape architectGlennHerbertofBellomo-Herbert&Co.Orlandodesigned This year’slargestproject,theVeraLeaRinkerNativePlantGarden,surrounds NOV. 27&28. Royal BotanicalGardens.Hamilton, 2002, StetsonUniversityinDeLand,Florida,hasbeen“goinggreen”through www.northwesthort.org. Magic ofChristmas. CANADA Evergreen DesignWork- www.rbg.ca. Holiday North- Columbia. (866)652-4422. www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum. www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum. JAN. 15. Looking ahead www.vandusengarden.org. DEC. 5. British Columbia.(604)878-9274. VanDusen BotanicalGarden.Vancouver, (519) 824-4120 ext.52358. at UniversityofGuelph.Guelph, Ontario. gardens.com. —Caroline Bentley,EditorialAssistant Holiday Wreaths. Conifer Workshop. Workshop. The Arboretum www.butchart 

GERRI BAUER / COURTESY OF STETSON UNIVERSITY GARDENC MARKET

CLASSIFIED AD RATES: All classified advertising must be prepaid. $2.75 per word; mini- mum $66 per insertion. Copy and prepayment must be received by the 20th of the month three months prior to publication date. To place an ad, call (703) 768-5700 ext. 120.

ARTISTS WANTED NEW PLANT DEVELOPMENT I-PARK ARTISTS’ ENCLAVE in East Haddam, Con- FIND OUT THE MARKET POTENTIAL of your plant necticut is now accepting applications from land- discovery. We work in the US, Canada, Europe scape and garden designers, writers, artists and and Japan. Over 10 Years Experience. Plant architects for the 2008 Residency Season. Patents Filed. [email protected] or (805) Download an application at http://www.i-park.org. 987-8690. E-mail [email protected] or call (860) 873-2468 for more information. Deadline: December 31, 2007. PLANT LABELS ENGRAVED BOTANICAL PLANT LABELS PLANT IDENTIFICATION FOR EVERY GARDEN TO PLACE YOUR AD HERE, FAMILY - GENUS - SPECIES - COMMON NAME call our advertising office at Order @ www.gardenmarkers.com (703) 768-5700 ext. 120. FAX: 434-975-1627 PLANT LABELS – STAKES – TREE TACKS

SEEDS

November / December 2007 59 2007C MAGAZINE INDEX

AUTHOR Johnson, Kathryn Lund. “Intriguing America In Bloom,” N/D, 13. “Fall Plant and Antiques Sale,” Dragonflies are Welcome Garden “On the Road with AHS” J/F, 5. J/A, 7. “America in Bloom Sym- Baggett, Pam. “Rudbeckias A Guests,” J/F, 38; “Avoiding the Wetherbee, Kris. “Paths of Discov- posium,” J/A, 9. “Eagle Scout Golden Touch for Gardens,” Stranglehold of Dodder,” J/A, 46. ery,” J/F, 20. “Lemon-Scented Project at River Farm,” J/A, 9. M/J, 28. Lee, Rand B. “Beguiling Bellflow- Herbs,” M/J, 40. “Bird-Friendly “Homestead in the Garden Week- Baxter, Pamela. “Gardening for ers,” M/A, 35. Winter Gardens,” N/D, 14. end,” J/A, 10. “TGOA Photo Con- Good Health,” M/A, 25. “A Gem Loewer, Peter. “Pleasures of the Yee, Mary. “One on One test,” J/A, 10. “Second AHS On- of a Garden,” S/O, 23. Evening Garden,” J/A, 17. “Win- with…Dave Whitinger,” N/D, 44. line Seminar in May,” J/A, 12. Bentley, Caroline. “America In ter-Blooming Shrubs,” N/D, 22. “Dr. Cathey Day Lecture,” S/O, 8. Bloom’s 2007 Award Winners,” Martin, Tovah. “The Fragrant In- “AHS Garden School,” S/O, 8. N/D, 12. “Stetson University SUBJECT doors,” N/D, 28 “Music in the Garden Exhibit,” Dons a Native Hat,” N/D, 58. McIntyre, Linda. “Steve Martino: AHS: “2007 Gala a Musical Suc- S/O, 8. “Growing Good Kids Book Burrell, C. Colston. “Woodland From Heretic to Hero in the cess,” N/D, 8. “2007 Youth Gar- Awards,” S/O, 9. “AHS Receives Saxifrages,” S/O, 34. Desert Southwest,” J/A, 44; den Symposium,” J/F, 11. “AHS Grant to Design New Children’s Bussolini, Karen. “Winter’s “Chris Wiesinger: The Bulb at ‘Gardens in Graveyards’ Sym- Classroom,” S/O, 10. “Meadow Promise,” J/F, 24. Hunter,” S/O, 44. posium,” J/F, 12. “AHS Garden Continues to Grow,” S/O, 10. Capstack, Courtney. “YourOut- Neveln, Viveka. “Books for Young School at Yew Dell Gardens,” “Seed Exchange Donation Form,” Doors: Creating a Multi-functional Readers,” N/D, 54. “Confessions N/D, 10. “AHS Garden Schools S/O, 11. “Garden Club Bench Gardening Tool,” J/A, 14; “OXO: of the Plant-Obsessed,” M/A, 56. Begin in April,” M/A, 8. “AHS Dedication,” S/O, 11. “Final AHS High-Quality Tools and Communi- “The Cypress Mulch Controver- Supports Boston Gardens,” N/D, Online Seminar Set for Septem- ty Building,” M/J, 14; “Home- sy,” J/F, 44. “Deane Hundley is 8. “AHS Trip to North Carolina,” ber,” S/O, 12. “AHS Board Mem- stead Gardens: A Garden Center New AHS President,” M/A, 12. N/D, 11. “Armitage Hosts New ber Honored at OSU Gardens,” that Gives Back,” S/O, 13. “Stu- “Do-It-Yourself Garden Project Online Seminars for Members, S/O, 12. “River Farm Produce Do- dents Get Competitive Edge at Guides,” S/O, 56. “Gardens J/F, 9. “Capturing the Garden nated to Food Bank,” S/O, 12. PLANET Career Days,” M/J, 48. Around the World,” J/F, 56. “Re- Through Photography,” J/F, 10. “River Farm Landmark Lost,” “Widening the Circle,” S/O, 14. gional Gardening,” M/J, 56. “Deane Hundley is New AHS S/O, 12. Cunningham, Michael. “Exuberant “Summer Reading,” J/A, 56. President,” J/F, 8. “Dr. H. Marc AHS Awards: “AHS 2007 Great by Design,” M/J, 34. Ottesen, Carole. “Hardy Plants for Cathey Day,” J/F, 9. “Green American Gardeners National Davis, Janet. “Sheer Intrigue,” Cool-Climate Gardens,” J/A, 39. Garage at the Northwest Flower Award Winners,” M/A, 14. J/A, 28. ® Pelczar, Rita. “Let’s Get Orga- Show,” J/F, 8. “Green Garage “2007 AHS Book Award Dryden, Steve. “Havens for nized,” J/F, 51. “Understanding Gets Warm Reception in Seattle,” Winners,” M/A, 17. Heirlooms,” S/O, 38. Your Soil,” M/A, 50. “The Scoop M/A, 8. “An Intern Project Helps All-America Selections: “Best of Froelich, Christine. “The Cutting on Shovels, Spades, and Forks,” Shape River Farm’s the Best,” M/A, 21. Fields,” M/J, 24. M/J, 52, “Solar Power in the Future,” M/A, 18. “TerraCycle America in Bloom (AIB): “America Gardner, Jo Ann. “Classic Garden,” J/A, 52. “Deterring Partners with the AHS,” J/F, 10. in Bloom Symposium,” J/A, 9. Perennials Updated for Today’s Deer,” S/O, 50. “Cool Tools and “OXO Partners with the AHS,” “AIB’s 2007 Award Winners,” Garden,” M/J, 18. Practical Products,” N/D, 42. M/A, 8. “New AHS Online Lec- N/D, 12. “Evaluating Beauty One Green, Doug. “Virtual Gardening in Price, Susan Davis. “Gulf Coast ture Series,” M/A, 9. “Magic of City at a Time for AIB,” N/D, 13. the Blogosphere,” N/D, 19. Recovery,” J/F, 29. Landscapes Symposium,” M/A, Annuals: “New Plants for 2007,” Haapoja, Margaret A. “Hawaii’s Purdy, Kathy. “Colchicums: 10. “AHS Receives ExxonMobil J/F, 14. Hidden Jewel: Na ‘Aina Kai,” Autumn’s Best-Kept Secret,” Grant,” M/A, 10. “AHS Spring Bellflower Relatives: “Beguiling N/D, 34. S/O, 18. Plant Sale.” M/A, 11. “AHS Part- Bellflowers,” M/A, 35. Harper-Lore, Bonnie L. “Lady Bird Reich, Lee. “The Art and Science ners with ASLA,” M/A, 11. Birds: “The Great Backyard Bird Johnson: Her Vision Reflected in of Espalier,” S/O, 28. “Washington Blooms!” M/A, 11. Count,” J/F, 48. “Bird-Friendly America’s Roadsides.” N/D, 48. Robbins, Heather. “An Intern Pro- “Exhibits Receive AHS Award at Winter Gardens,” N/D, 14. Hill, Bob. “The Legend of Hidden ject Helps Shape River Farm’s Flower Shows,” M/J, 8. “Public Blogs, Garden: “Virtual Gardening Hollow,” J/A, 22. Future,” M/A, 18. “Horticultural Gardens Conference in D.C.” M/J, in the Blogosphere, N/D, 19. Howard, Doreen. “Best of the 8. “New AHS Board Members,” History: A Look Back,” J/F, 50. Book Reviews: Gardening at the Best,” M/A, 21. One on One M/J, 8. “AHS Gains New Corpo- “Mount Auburn Turns 175,” Shore, J/F, 55. Native Alterna- With… series: “David Barnett, rate Partner,” M/J, 9. “Youth Gar- J/F, 57. “Winter Garden Class- tives to Invasive Plants, J/F, 54. Advocate for Public Gardens and dening Symposium Turns 15 in es,” J/F, 58. The Oxford Companion to the Gar- Natural Landscaping,” J/F, 42; Minnesota,” M/J, 9. “Board Mem- Rogers, Ray. “Pots for the den, J/F, 54. Seascape Garden- “Diane Relf: Promoting the Heal- ber Receives National Recogni- Garden,” J/F, 34. ing: From New England to the ing Power of Plants,” M/A 44; tion,” M/J, 10. “First AHS Online Sharp, Jo Ellen. “The Ash’s Bane,” Carolinas, J/F, 55. Flower Confi- “Roger Swain: TV Personality, Au- Seminar Draws a Crowd,” M/J, M/A, 40. dential, M/A, 54. Garden Bulbs thor, Environmentalist,” M/J 50. 11. “Garden Essay Contest Win- Sternberg, Ilene. “New Plants for for the South, M/A, 54. Rodale’s Hundley, Deane. “Notes from River ner,” M/J, 12. “AHS Award Win- 2007,” J/F, 14. Vegetable Garden Problem Solver, Farm,” M/A, 5; M/J, 5; J/A, 5; ners Honored,” J/A, 7. “Presi- Warner, Katy Moss. “Evaluating M/A, 55. Encyclopedia of Hardy S/O, 5; N/D, 5. dent’s Council Excursion,” J/A, 7. Beauty One City at a Time for Plants, M/J, 54. The Organic

60 the American Gardener Lawn Care Manual, M/J, 54. The for 2007,” J/F, 14. “Ornamental 50. “Pacific Northwest Conser- come Garden Guests,” J/F, 38. Encyclopedia of Grasses for Liv- Edibles,” M/A, 30. vancy to Preserve Heronswood Neubauer, Harald: “The Legend of able Landscapes, M/J, 55. Burpee Emerald Ash Borer: See under In- Property,” J/F, 48. . “Pesticides Hidden Hollow,” J/A, 22. The Complete Flower Gardener:, sects. Linked to Parkinson’s,” M/A 48. New Plant Introductions: “New J/A, 54. Foliage: Astonishing Color Espalier: “The Art and Science of “Rachel Carson Centennial,” M/J, Plants for 2007,” J/F, 14. and Texture Beyond Flowers, J/A, Espalier,” S/O, 28. 46. “Return of the Pink Flamin- Notes from River Farm: See under 54. A Pattern Garden, J/A, 55. Evening Gardens: “Pleasures of the go,” S/O, 49. “Safelawn Advo- Hundley in author index. Grow Organic, S/O, 54. The Ele- Evening Garden,” J/A 17. cates Natural Lawn Care,” J/F, Oenothera: “Evening Primroses,” ments of Organic Gardening, S/O, Fragrant Plants: “The Fragrant In- 48. “Securing the Future with a J/A, 34. 54. The Teeth of the Lion, S/O, doors,” N/D, 28. “Pleasures of New Seed Bank,” S/O, 46. One on One With. See Howard, 55. 1001 Gardens You Must See the Evening Garden,” J/A, 16. “Stamp of Approval for Pollina- McIntyre, and Yee in author index. Before You Die, N/D, 52. Conifers Garden Design: “Bird-Friendly Win- tors,” M/J, 47. “Stellar Stachys Online Gardening: See Blogs. for the Garden, N/D, 52. Sunset ter Gardens,” N/D, 14. “Exuber- for Northern Gardens,” M/A 47. Parasitic Plants: See under Dodder. Western Garden Book, N/D, 53. ant by Design,” M/J, 34. “Orna- “Top Roses for 2007,” J/F, 49. People: Armitage, Allan, J/F, 9; Books for Gardeners (short reviews mental Edibles,” M/A, 30. “Paths “Update on Disappearing Honey- M/A, 48. Barnett, David, J/F, 42. by theme): “Books for Young of Discovery,” J/F, 20. “Pots for bees,” N/D, 46. “Virtual Vegetable Carson, Rachel, M/J, 46. Cathey, Readers,” N/D, 54. “Confessions the Garden,” J/F, 34. “Pleasures Problem Solver,” J/A, 49. “Weed- Dr. H. Marc, S/O, 8; J/F, 9. Dane, of the Plant-Obsessed,” M/A, of the Evening Garden,” J/A 16. Busting Groundcovers,” J/A, 48. Arabella, M/A, 10. Doty, Joyce & 56. “Do-It-Yourself Garden Pro- “Sheer Intrigue,” J/A, 28. “Win- “Weeds Gone Wild Calendar,” Ed, N/D, 30. Durie, Jamie, S/O, ject Guides,” S/O, 56. “Gardens ter’s Promise,” J/F 24. N/D, 47. “Wild Magnolias in Jeop- 48. Flemer, William III, J/A, 50. Around the World,” J/F, 56. “Re- Gardener’s Notebook: “An American ardy,” J/A, 49. “Zoning Out,” Gardner, Nellie, M/J, 24. Gray, gional Gardening,” M/J, 56. Garden at the Chelsea Flower M/A, 46 Melody, M/A 18. Grobman, Svet- “Summer Reading,” J/A, 56. Show,” S/O 47. “Awards for Cora Gardner, Nellie: “The Cutting lana, M/J, 12. Hill, Polly, J/A, 50. Botanical and Public Gardens: Ault Madagascar Periwinkle,” N/D, 44. Fields,” M/J, 24. Hinkley, Dan, N/D, 46 Johnson, Park (Cincinnati) in ”Exuberant “A Billion Trees,” J/F, 50. “A Gifts for Gardeners. N/D, 50. Lady Bird: S/O, 48; N/D, 48. Mar- by Design,” M/J, 34. Coastal Bloomin’ Change,” M/J, 47. “Ar- Grafting: “The Legend of Hidden tino, Steve, J/A, 44. Meyer, Fred- Maine Botanical Gardens,” S/O bor Day Poster Contest,” J/F, 46. Hollow,” J/A. 22. erick, J/F, 47. Relf, Diane, M/A, 23. “Eloise Butler Wildflower “ “Beleagured Bees,” M/J, 45. Green Garage®: “Let’s Get Orga- 44. Riddle, Don Jr., S/O, 13. Ron- Garden,” J/A, 59. “Fairchild Des- “Botanic Garden Executive Judy nized,” J/F, 51. “Understanding ayne, Natalie, M/J, 45. Shigo, ignated a Horticultural Land- Zuk Dies,” N/D, 44. “Catnip Com- Your Soil,” M/A, 50. “The Scoop Alex, J/F, 47. Swain, Roger, M/J, mark,” M/A, 48. “Gulf Coast Re- pound Lures Lacewings,” S/O, 48. on Shovels, Spades, and Forks,” 50. Wiesinger, Chris, S/O, 44. covery,” J/F 29. “Hawaii’s “Celebrating Wildflowers Online,” M/J 52. “Solar Power in the Gar- Whitinger, Dave, N/D, 40. Zuk, Hidden Jewel: Na ‘Aina Kai,” M/A, 48. “Christmas Tree Growers den,” J/A, 52. “Deterring Deer,” Judy, N/D, 46. N/D, 34. “Mount Auburn Turns Go Green,” N/D, 44. “Cool-Sea- S/O, 50. “Cool Tools and Practi- Perennials: “Beguiling Bellflow- 175,” J/F, 57.“Stetson University son Grasses Inhibit Transplanted cal Products,” N/D, 42. “Green ers,” M/A, 35. “Evening Primros- Dons a Native Hat,” N/D, 58. Tree Growth,” S/O, 46. “Connect- Garage‚ at the Northwest Flower es,” J/A, 34 . “Classic Perennials “University of Minnesota Land- ing Kids with Nature,” M/J, 46. & Garden Show,” J/F, 8. “Green Updated for Today’s Garden,” scape Arboretum,” M/J, 16. “Court Orders More Oversight on Garage® Gets Warm Reception in M/J, 18. “Hardy Plants for Cool- Buds: “Winter’s Promise,” J/F 24. Transgenic Crops,” M/J, 45. “Dan Seattle,” M/A, 8. climate Gardens,” J/A, 39. “New Bulbs: See under Colchicums. Hinkley Becomes Monrovia Advi- The Growing Connection: “Eagle Plants for 2007,” J/F, 14 “Rud- Calylophus: “Evening Primroses,” sor,” N/D, 44. “Dodder Sniffs Out Scout Project at River Farm,” J/A, beckias: A Golden Touch for Gar- J/A, 34. Victims, J/F, 48. “Earthworms 9. “River Farm Produce Donated dens,” M/J, 28. “Woodland Sax- Children’s Gardening: “2007 Youth Help to Plant Seeds,” J/F, 46. to Local Food Bank,” S/O, 12. ifrages,” S/O, 34. Garden Symposium, J/F, 11. “Efficacy of Echinacea Supple- Growing the Future. “Students Get Pruning Techniques: See Espalier. “Children’s Garden Survey,” ments,” N/D, 44. “Endangered Competitive Edge at PLANET Roses: “New Plants for 2007,” N/D, 11. “University of Minneso- Species Day,” M/J, 46. “Farewell Career Days,” M/J, 48. J/F, 14. “Top Roses for 2007,” ta Landscape Arboretum: Cele- to Florastar,” S/O, 49. “Garden Health: “Gardening for Good J/F, 49. brating Children,” M/J, 16. Crusader Awards,” J/F, 46. “Gera- Health,” M/A, 25. Rudbeckia: “Rudbeckias: A Golden “Widening the Circle,” S/O, 14. nium Rozanne named 2008 PPA Heirloom Plants: “Havens for Heir- Touch for Gardens,” M/J, 28. Colchicums: “Colchicums: Plant of the Year,” N/D, 44. looms,” S/O, 38. Saxifraga: “Woodland Saxifrages,” Autumn’s Best-Kept Secret,” “Global Warming Impacts Herbs: “Lemon-Scented Herbs,” S/O, 34. S/O, 18. Plants,” M/A, 46. “Good Taste M/J, 40. Shrubs: “New Plants for 2007,” Cold Hardy Plants: “Hardy Plants Overcomes Good Looks,” S/O, 48. Hidden Hollow Nursery: See under J/F, 14. “Winter-Blooming for Cool-Climate Gardens,” “Grants for Horticultural Re- Neubauer. Shrubs,” N/D, 22. J/A, 39. search,” M/J, 47. “Great Back- Houseplants: “The Fragrant In- Trees: “A Billion Trees,” J/F, 50. Conservation: “The Cypress Mulch yard Bird Count,” J/F, 48 “Green doors,” N/D, 28. “New Plants for 2007,” J/F, 14. Controversy,” J/F, 44. Industry Sales Mixed for 2006,” Hundley, Deane: “Deane Hundley Vegetables: “New Plants for Container Gardening: “Pots for the N/D, 47. “Meadow Rues for is New AHS President,” M/A, 12. 2007,” J/F, 14. “Ornamental Garden,” J/F, 34. Northern Gardeners,” J/A, 48. Hurricane Recovery: “Gulf Coast Edibles,” M/A, 30. Cut Flowers: “The Cutting Fields,” “New National ‘Call Before You Recovery,” J/F, 29. Winter Gardening: “Winter’s M/J, 24. Dig’ Number,” J/A, 48. “Native Insects: “Intriguing Dragonflies are Promise,” J/F, 24. “Bird-Friendly Dodder: “Avoiding the Strangle- Plants Design Contest,” J/A, 50. Welcome Garden Guests,” J/F, Winter Gardens,” N/D, 14. “Win- hold of Dodder,” J/A, 46. “Dod- “New Online Seed and Fruit I.D. 38. “The Ash’s Bane,” M/A, 40. ter-Blooming Shrubs,” N/D, 22. der Sniffs Out Victims,” J/F, 48. Guide,” J/A, 48. “Plants Go High- Natural Connections: “Avoiding the Edible Plants: “Lemon-Scented tech to Talk Back,” N/D, 44. Stranglehold of Dodder,” J/A, 46. Index compiled by Elaine Lee and Herbs,” M/J, 40. “New Plants “Pledge to Protect Forests,” J/A, “Intriguing Dragonflies are Wel- Barbara Lockett.

November / December 2007 61 PRONUNCIATIONSC AND PLANTING ZONES

Most of the cultivated plants described in this issue are listed here with their pronunciations, USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and AHS Plant Heat Zones. These zones suggest a range of locations where temperatures are appropriate—both in winter and summer—for grow- ing each plant. While the zones are a good place to start in determining plant adapt- ability in your region, factors such as exposure, moisture, snow cover, and humidity also play an important role in plant survival. The codes tend to be conservative; plants may grow outside the ranges indicated. A USDA zone rating of 0–0 means that the plant is a true annual and completes its life cycle in a year or less. To purchase a two-by-three-foot glossy AHS Plant Heat Zone Map for $9.95, call (800) 777-7931 or visit www.ahs.org.

A–C C. spicata C. spy-KAY-tuh kwer-sih-FO-lee-uh (5–9, 9–1) FRAY-granz (8–11, 12–8) (5–8, 8–5) Ilex opaca EYE-leks o-PAH-kuh Parthenocissus quinquefolia Abeliophyllum distichum uh-beel-ee- Crateagus phaenopyrum krah-TEE- (5–9, 9–5) par-then-o-SISS-us kwin-kweh-FO- o-FIL-um DIS-tih-kum (USDA gus fee-no-PY-rum (4–8, 8–1) Jasminum nitidum jaz-MIN-um lee-uh (4–9, 9–5) Zones 5–9, AHS Zones 9–1) NIT-ih-dum (10–11, 12–7) Pelargonium crispum peh-lar-GO- Aglaia odorata ag-LAY-uh o-doh- D–G J. nudiflorum J. new-dih-FLOR-um nee-um KRIS-pum (10–11, 11–1) RAY-tuh (10–11, 12–9) (6–9, 9–6) P. limoneum P. lih-MO-nee-um Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ark-toh- Daphne mezereum DAF-nee J. polyanthum J. pah-lee-AN-thum (11, 12–1) STAFF-ih-loss YOO-vuh-UR-sy meh-ZEE-ree-um (5–8, 8–5) (8–10, 10–8) P. parviflorum P. par-vih-FLOR-um (2–6, 6–1) D. odora D. oh-DOR-uh (7-9, 9-7) J. sambac J. SAM-bak (10–11, (11, 12–1) Artocarpus heterophyllus Erica carnea AIR-ih-kuh KAR-nee- 12–9) P. tomentosum P. toh-men-TOH- ar-toh-KAR-pus het-ur-o-FIL-lus uh (5–7, 7–5) Juniperus virginiana joo-NIP-er-iss sum (11, 12–1) (11, 12–9) Fatsia japonica FAT-see-uh vir-jin-ee-AN-uh (3–9, 9–1) Primula auricula PRIM-yew-luh Azara microphylla uh-ZAR-uh jah-PON-ih-kuh (8–10, 10–8) aw-RIK-yew-luh (3–8, 8–1) my-kro-FIL-luh (8–10, 12–10) Fortunella japonica for-tew-NEL-uh K–M Rhododendron mucronulatum Bismarckia nobilis biz-MARK-ee-uh jah-PON-ih-kuh (11, 12–1) ro-doh-DEN-dron moo-kron-yew- NO-bil-is (9–11, 12–10) Garrya elliptica GAH-ree-uh Kolkwitzia amabilis kol-KWIT-zee- LAY-tum (5–8, 8–5) Bouvardia longiflora boo-VAR-dee- ee-LIP-tih-kuh (8–11, 12–8) uh uh-MAB-uh-liss (4–9, 9–4) uh lon-jih-FLOR-uh (11, 12-10) Lonicera fragrantissima lah-NISS- H–J S–Z Brunfelsia australis broon-FEL-see- er-uh fray-gran-TIS-sih-muh uh aw-STRAY-liss (10–11, 12–8) Hamamelis ✕intermedia (4–8, 8–3) Samanea saman sah-MAHN-ee-uh Camellia japonica kuh-MEEL-yuh ham-uh-ME-liss in-ter-MEE-dee- L. nitida L. NIT-ih-duh (6-9, 9-5) SAH-man (min. 55 degrees, jah-PON-ih-kuh (7–9, 9–7) uh (5–9, 9–1) Loropetalum chinense lor-o-PEH- 12–10) C. sasanqua C. sah-SAHNG-kwuh H. mollis H. MOL-lis (5–9, 9–5) tal-um chy-NEN-see (7–9, 9–7) Sarcococca humilis sar-kuh-KOKE- (7–9, 9–7) H. virginiana H. vir-jin-ee-AN-uh Mahonia japonica mah-HO-nee-uh uh HEW-mih-lis (6–9, 9–6) Celastrus scandens seh-LAS-trus (3–8, 8–1) jah-PON-ih-kuh (7–8, 8–7) Stachyurus praecox stah-kee-YEW- ✕ SKAN-denz (3–8, 8–1) Harpullia zanguebarica har-POOL- M. media M. MEE-dee-uh rus PREE-cox (7–9, 9–7) Chaenomeles speciosa kee-NO- ee-uh zang-wuh-BAIR-ih-kuh (8–9, 9–8) Stenocereus thurberi sten-o-SEER- MEH-leez spee-see-O-suh (11, 12–10) Melianthus major mee-lee-AN-thus ee-us THUR-bur-eye (min. 55 de- (5–9, 9–1) Heliotropium arborescens hee-lee- MAY-jer (8–11, 12–8) grees, 12–10) Chimonanthus praecox kim-o-NAN- o-TROP-ee-um ar-bo-RES-enz Michelia figo my-KEE-lee-uh Strongylodon macrobotrys thus PREE-cox (7–9, 9–7) (11, 12–9) FEE-go (11, 12–10) stron-GEE-lo-don mak-ro-BOT-ris Codiaeum variegatum var. pictum ko- Hoya carnosa HOY-uh kar-NO-suh Mitriostigma axillare mih-tree-o- (min. 55 degrees, 12–10) dee-AY-um vair-ee-uh-GAY-tum var. (min. 55 degrees, 12–8) STIG-muh ak-sih-LAIR-ee Syzygium malaccense sih-ZEE-gee- PIK-tum (min. 55 degrees, 12–10) H. lacunosa H. lack-yew-NO-suh (11, 11–9) um mal-uh-KEN-see (min. 55 de- Cordyline fruticosa KOR-dih-line (min. 55 degrees, 11–8) Mucuna bennettii muh-KYEW-nuh grees, 12–11) froo-tih-KO-suh (11, 12–7) H. lanceolata ssp. bella beh-NET-ee-eye (10–11, 11–9) Trachelospermum jasminoides Cornus alba KOR-nus AL-buh H. lan-see-o-LAY-tuh ssp. BEL-luh Murraya paniculata MUH-ray-uh tray-kel-o-SPUR-mum jaz-mih- (2–8, 8–1) (min. 55 degrees, 11–9) pan-ik-yew-LAY-tuh (9–10, 10–9) NOY-deez (8–11, 12–8) C. mas C. MAHS (5–8, 8–5) H. longifolia H. lon-jih-FO-lee-uh Myrica pensylvanica my-RIH-kuh Viburnum farreri vy-BER-num C. sericea C. seh-RISS-ee-uh (8–10, 10–8) pen-sil-VAN-ih-kuh (3–6, 6–1) FAR-air-ee (6–8, 8–6) (3–8, 8–1) H. obovata H. o-bo-VAY-tuh (min. V. tinus V. TY-nus (8–10, 10–8) N–R Corylopsis pauciflora kor-ih-LOP- 55 degrees, 11–9) Viola odorata VY-o-luh o-doh-RAY- siss paw-sih-FLOR-uh (6–9, 9–6) H. pubera H. pyew-BAIR-uh (min. Nandina domestica nan-DEE-nuh tuh (6–8, 8–6) C. sinensis C. sy-NEN-siss 55 degrees, 11–9) do-MES-tih-kuh (6–11, 12–4) Zingiber spectabile ZIN-jih-bur (5–9, 9–2) Hydrangea quercifolia hy-DRAN-juh Osmanthus fragrans oz-MAN-thuss spek-TAB-ih-lee (9–11, 12–7)

62 the American Gardener

To everything there is a season. Plants thrive in fall’s ideal growing conditions. Gentle rains and cooler soil temperatures rejuvenate summer-stressed plants, preparing them for the winter ahead. You can help, too, by making Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food a regular part of your fall gardening routine. Osmocote® adjusts to changing soil temperatures, so your plants always get just the right amount of nutrition. Maybe that’s why passionate gardeners have trusted Osmocote® for 40 years – no matter what the season. Looking for expert advice and answers to your gardening questions? Visit PlantersPlace.com — a fresh, new online gardening community.

© 2007, Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company. World rights reserved. www.osmocote.com